Detroit Pistons Fall To The Atlanta Hawks 118-113

The Pistons kept up with the Hawks in a high-scoring game, but could not pull it out.

This recap will be different from the others in that I will give my thoughts quarter by quarter, so let’s get into it!

Pregame: Just found out Jaden Ivey will be out of the game with an illness. Cory Joseph starts next to Cade Cunningham. I will be looking for Cade to be more aggressive in this game.

First Quarter

The Pistons call their first timeout trailing 17-9 with 7:33 left to go. Cade Cunningham scored the first five points of the game, so there is some aggressiveness there. But the big takeaway is the defense, or the lack of defense. Atlanta is getting some wide open looks by simple pick-and-rolls. The Pistons are too late to switch, allowing Trae Young and Dejounte Murray to get wide open looks at the basket, and if they miss, Capela is right there for the put-back.

Atlanta now calls a timeout, up 29-23 with 3:09 left to go. Detroit has found its rhythm offensively. First, it was Bojan Bogdanovic, scoring seven points. Now Cade Cunningham has gotten it going with a tough finish at the rim. Isaiah Livers also just hit his first three, which is a great sign to see given his struggles last night.

At the end of the 1st quarter, the Pistons trail 36-32. On offense, it is the Bogey and Cade show as both players have reached double digit scoring within twelve minutes of play. However, if the Pistons want to win this game, they are going to have to find an answer to Trae Young. He has 16 points and eight of them are from the free-throw line, yikes!

Second Quarter

The Pistons have challenged an offensive foul that was called against Jalen Duren. The call is reversed, and the result is a three-point play. Pistons trail 39-38.

So far, the Pistons bench has held up as the starter begins to check back into the game. Livers has gotten into a rhythm scoring nine key points as the Pistons trail 46-44. Also, if Onyeka Okongwu can start hitting that mid-range jumper consistently, the Hawks got themselves their center of the future.

Atlanta calls timeout as the Pistons are up 50-48. The Cade and Bogey show has returned. Cade just had a nice take on John Collins and finished at the rim. He has 16 points. I think without Ivey in the lineup, Cade has a bit more leeway in the system of the offense. He’s bearing a higher usage rate in this game, and we are seeing that in his production.

A wonky end to the first half. Bogdanovic got an offensive foul due to an elbow to Deandre Hunter. Then, Trae Young gets an and-1 on a questionable goaltending call. Bogdanovic then gets fouled by Trae Young on a three point shot, but this one looks like an offensive foul on Bogdanovic. He makes both free-throws with four seconds left in the half. John Collins throws the ball away, leaving the Pistons time for the final. They go to Cade Cunningham on the baseline and he delivers on a mid range shot. He is up to 22 points and the Pistons trail 62-61 at the half.

Random Halftime Thoughts

I thought Diallo was active in a good way during the game. He had the technical foul, but made up for it by stealing the ball from Aaron Holiday, and then he had an acrobatic layup cutting the deficit to two for Detroit.

I also completely forgot Jalen Johnson was on the Hawks. He spent some time in the G-League last year, so It is good to see him playing in the NBA now.

Third Quarter

We have our first timeout at 6:37 as the Pistons lead the Hawks 73-69. Cunningham is up to 24 points and as Greg Kesler pointed out, he is taking the shot if Trae Young is guarding him. Saddiq Bey has also gotten aggressive to start the second half and is taking the majority of his shots in the paint. The Hawks have somewhat cooled down on their shooting, but you can never be certain. Also, Dejounte Murray is a pest on defense.

Isaiah Stewart with the block on Trae Young. Cunningham with the pass to Bogdanovic for a left-handed jam! Pistons up 79-71

And just like that Atlanta has come back to tie the game 89-89 at the end of the third quarter. The Pistons got a little too complacent to end the third and turnovers plagued the team. The Hawks had the lead at one point, but Killian Hayes hit a much needed three off a pass from Cunningham to keep the Pistons in the game. Saddiq Bey also emerged during this quarter. He has 17 points.

Fourth Quarter

Feels like Atlanta is controlling the time of possession in this game. Pistons can’t get a rebound, down 95-94. I spoke too soon, Duren with and-one off a Killian miss!

This bench is active! Killian picks Dejoute Murray’s pocket and dishes it to Jalen Duren for the slam! The Pistons are up 1 with 6:29 left to go.

Deandre Hunter with an and-1 to put the Hawks up 104-100 with 5:11 left. The Pistons wasted their last two possessions with Cojo getting swatted at the rim, and Cade with a turnover on a pass to Duren. Turnovers were something of big emphasis for Cunningham. Tonight has not been his night on that end, he has seven turnovers.

Bogdanovic with a clutch three to bring the Pistons within five, 108-103, with 3:38 left to play. The Pistons are going to have to be stout on the defensive end if they want to win this game. And…. the Hawks proceeded to get three offensive rebounds to go up 109-103.

Bojan hit a clutch three to bring the Pistons within three, and then the Pistons got a takeaway! Only for John Collins to block Cade Cunningham on the fast break. Murray then scores another basket to put the Hawks up 111-106. Tough break for Detroit.

BOGEY!!! A POTENTIAL FOUR POINT PLAY!

Saddiq Bey had a chance to cut this lead to one, but missed both free throws. The Hawks go on to score, and Cade gets blocked, again. This one looks to be over. Hawks up 116-110 with 26.3 seconds left in the game.

Bogey doing Bogey things, hitting another three. He has 33 points in the game. Pistons still down 116-113.

Final: Pistons 113, Hawks 116