RealGM

The Atlanta Hawks' strong defense has been a major factor in their rise to the top of the Eastern Conference as well as their success against the Detroit Pistons.

The stingy Hawks look to match the franchise record for victories despite possibly resting some key players Tuesday night against the Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

All-Star point guard Jeff Teague returned from a two-game absence due to an ankle injury in Monday's 101-88 home win over Milwaukee. Atlanta's four other starters were also back on the court after resting in Saturday's loss at Charlotte.

Atlanta (56-18), which has clinched its first division title in 22 years and the Eastern Conference's top seed, trails Golden State by 4 1/2 games with eight remaining in the race for the league's best record overall.

Heading into the second of another back-to-back set, coach Mike Budenholzer wasn't sure how he would handle the situation after backup point guard Dennis Schroder injured a toe on his left foot Monday.

"There's a lot of discussion and debate about how to best do it," said Budenholzer, who added Schroder will not play.

The Hawks displayed their balance against the Bucks as DeMarre Carroll -- the lone starter not to make the All-Star team -- finished with a team-high 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

They also limited Milwaukee to 4-of-17 shooting from 3-point range while moving one win away from matching the team's single-season record for victories set in the 1986-87 season and matched in '93-94.

"We're trying to get our momentum back going to the playoffs," Carroll said. "We're trying to do something special here."

Atlanta, among the league's leaders with 97.1 points allowed per game, has held the Pistons to an average of 91.3 and below 40 percent shooting in three earlier meetings.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has averaged 11.3 points on 28.9 percent shooting -- including 6 for 27 from 3-point range.

Behind Teague's 28 points, Atlanta claimed a 99-89 home win Nov. 21 before Paul Millsap and Mike Scott had 20 apiece in a 93-82 victory at Philips Arena on Jan. 19. Al Horford finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds to help the Hawks snap the Pistons' seven-game winning streak with a 106-103 win Jan. 9 in the most recent meeting in Detroit.

Atlanta hasn't swept at least four games against the Pistons since the '93-94 season.

Detroit (28-45), though, is trying to extend its longest home winning streak after topping playoff-bound clubs Memphis, Chicago and Toronto in its last three at The Palace.

The Pistons had a four-game overall streak snapped in Sunday's 109-102 loss at Miami to conclude a brief trip. They've shown some improvement offensively, scoring 106.6 per game -- 8.8 above their prior average -- in the last five.

"We have been playing good basketball," guard Jodie Meeks said. "We have to move forward and try to get the next one."

Andre Drummond scored a career-best 32 to go with 14 rebounds, and Reggie Jackson added a career-high 31 points.

Drummond is averaging 21.8 points and 15.8 boards in his last four games, and Jackson has put up 22.6 points and 11.4 assists while hitting 10 of 23 from 3-point range over his past seven.

dVs33 wrote:If monroe is still out, there's zero chance of a win. Hell, even if he was playing I wouldn't give us a chance.

I'll be at work, so I can't watch it

whitehops wrote:

dVs33 wrote:If monroe is still out, there's zero chance of a win. Hell, even if he was playing I wouldn't give us a chance.

I'll be at work, so I can't watch it

some might think we have a better chance of winning if he doesn't play

dVs33 wrote:

whitehops wrote:

dVs33 wrote:If monroe is still out, there's zero chance of a win. Hell, even if he was playing I wouldn't give us a chance.

I'll be at work, so I can't watch it

some might think we have a better chance of winning if he doesn't play

Oh yeah i forgot Monroe makes inconsistent KCP shoot inconsistently and limits Dre's limited offense.

joedumars1 wrote:Nice move Moose, I mean Dre