Game Thread: Hawks Look to get back to .500 in Detroit

Post #1 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Nov 8, 2024 3:42 pm

Pistons vs. Hawks preview

The Pistons will take on the Hawks for the first time this season and get their first look at the #1 overall pick

Lineups
Atlanta Hawks (4-5):
Trae Young,
Dyson Daniels,
Zaccharie Risacher,
Jalen Johnson,
Clint Capela

Detroit Pistons (3-6):
Cade Cunningham,
Jaden Ivey,
Tim Hardaway Jr,
Tobias Harris,
Isaiah Stewart

Analysis
After earning the number 1 pick after an appearance in the Play-In Tournament last season, the Hawks remade their roster a bit. They had a team capable of consistently making the Play-In tournament but not being able to do much beyond that. They sent out Dejounte Murray and started to remake the team with perimeter defenders to cover up for Trae Young. The biggest piece in that trade was Dyson Daniels, who is known for his strong defense and is now able to take the tougher backcourt matchup and allow Trae Young to focus on offense.

As I mentioned above, the Hawks also earned the number one overall pick and took Zaccharie Risacher out of France. While many draft pundits did not agree with the decision to take him with the first pick, he does have an ideal modern wing skillset and is starting to come into his own. In last Wednesday’s win over the New York Knicks, he had 33 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks on 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. He can shoot the ball and defend on the wing well with his 6’8” frame.

The offensive engine of the Hawks is obviously Trae Young, who is currently 2nd in the league with 10.9 assists per game. However, there is less scoring pressure on him now due to the breakout of Jalen Johnson last season. Johnson is building off of last year’s breakout sporting averages of 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists so far this season. He can be trusted to take over the offensive burden when Trae Young is not in the game.

It is tough to say whether the Hawks are better or worse than they were last year. They enter this game 4-5, which is on pace to be in the Play-In range once again. I think long term the team will be better, since a lot of the players they added are still developing, but the current version of the Pistons are a pretty even matchup for them.

The Pistons have generally played the Hawks pretty tough over the last couple seasons despite being the inferior team. This will be a great opportunity to get a bounce back win after Wednesday night’s heartbreak.

The Pistons could be without Jalen Duren, who is a game-time decision with an ankle injury suffered on Wednesday. However, Paul Reed saw his first consistent minutes of the season and was very good in relief of Duren. He had 13 points and did not miss a shot from the field. If Duren is out, I would expect Isaiah Stewart to start and Paul Reed to play in relief of him.

Luckily, the Hawks don’t have a huge frontcourt as their two centers are Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu, who are both under 7 feet. Neither player really has a perimeter-oriented game, which would be beneficial for Jalen Duren if he somehow is able to play.

Somebody in the Pistons backcourt will draw the Trae Young matchup, and whoever that is will need to take advantage of his lack of size and defense. If I had to guess, I would say the Hawks will matchup Dyson Daniels with Cade Cunningham, leaving Jaden Ivey on Trae Young. If that is the case, a huge game from Jaden Ivey will be necessary to win.\

I wouldn’t call this game a “must-win” for the Pistons, but if you want to be taken seriously as a team, you have to win the games at home against teams that will likely be in your tier by the end of the season.

Detroit - SB Nation

Post #2 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Nov 8, 2024 3:45 pm

Hate to hear it for the young man.

Isaiah Stewart is a solid alternative with Jalen Duren unavailable.

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Post #3 » by **HMFFL** » Fri Nov 8, 2024 9:43 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:Hate to hear it for the young man.

Isaiah Stewart is a solid alternative with Jalen Duren unavailable.

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Maybe OO can be productive since Jalen Duren is out.

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Post #4 » by **HMFFL** » Fri Nov 8, 2024 9:45 pm

Hawks are a 1.5 point underdog.

Hawks have won the previous 7 meetings.

Hawks are 8-2 in their last 10 meetings against Detroit.

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jayu70 · Post #5 » by **jayu70** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 12:01 am

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Post #6 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 12:51 am

jayu70 · Post #7 » by **jayu70** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 2:43 am

Nance should have been in the game, not OO.
That's all I got.
Quin and his rotations :nonono:

Post #8 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 3:13 am

Great game!!!

Tough loss.

Trae put on a masterclass performance in the 4Q.

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Post #9 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 3:15 am

What an ending!!!

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Post #10 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 4:17 am

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Post #11 » by **HMFFL** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 9:39 am

Fast Break Points
Hawks 26
Pistons 6

Points In The Paint
Hawks 54
Pistons 46

Biggest Lead
Hawks 1
Pistons 24

3 Pointers Made
Hawks 15 42%
Pistons 13 39%

Steals
Hawks 12
Pistons 7

Turnovers
Hawks 15
Pistons 20

Detroit Won

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Post #12 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 4:51 pm

This is all really encouraging. Detroit is a scrappier group than last season.

But after the 1st 12 minutes...hawks dominated the rest of the way.

IN EVERY CATEGORY. :clap:

HMFFL wrote:Fast Break Points
Hawks 26
Pistons 6

Points In The Paint
Hawks 54
Pistons 46

Biggest Lead
Hawks 1
Pistons 24

3 Pointers Made
Hawks 15 42%
Pistons 13 39%

Steals
Hawks 12
Pistons 7

Turnovers
Hawks 15
Pistons 20

Detroit Won