Atlanta Hawks (49-28) Detroit Pistons (24-53) Game Preview

Wednesday April 7, 2010

Atlanta Hawks (49-28) Detroit Pistons (24-53)

Venue: The Palace at Auburn Hills

Time: 7:30pm ET

TV: Fox Sports South

Radio: 790TheZone, NBA Audio League Pass

Previous Match Ups

11/29/2009 Pistons 94 Hawks 88 – Recap

03/13/2010 Hawks 112 Pistons 99 – Recap

04/03/2010 Hawks 91 Pistons 85 – Recap

Hawks – Probable Starters

PG – Mike Bibby

SG – Joe Johnson

SF – Marvin Williams

PF – Josh Smith

C – Al Horford

Pistons – Probable Starters

PG – Rodney Stuckey

SG – Will Bynum

SF – Tayshun Prince

PF – Jonas Jerebko

C – Ben Wallace

Injury Report

Hawks – Joe Johnson – Thumb (Out)

Mike Bibby – Toe (Day to Day)

ZaZa Pachulia – Hip (Day to Day)

Pistons – Ben Wallace – Knee (Day to Day)

Chris Wilcox – Back (Day to Day)

Jason Maxiell – Back (Day to Day)

Richard Hamilton – Ankle (Day to Day)

Hawks Blog Roll

Pistons Blog Roll

Game Thoughts

Saying that the Pistons have issues would be an understatement. First there were reports of a heated practice and exchanges between players and coaches, and some heated tweets on twitter. Then Charlie Villanueva and Austin Daye missed the team flight and had to fly commercially to the game in Philadelphia.

A good question is that who should be more angry? Charlie V. for losing playing time or the Pistons for giving him an enormous contract for which they have been rewarded with sub par play? Despite all of the distractions the Pistons went into Philadelphia and defeated the Sixers 124-103 with the afore mentioned Villenueva scoring 25 points in 23 minutes of playing time so go figure. At any rate John Kuester has his hands full with this team at the moment.

The Hawks will look to bounce back and capture this season’s fiftieth win. They are also looking to snap a road losing streak that has now grown to five games. If they are going to be successful tonight then they are going to have to give the Pistons a lot more defensive resistance than they did the Bobcats last night. Joe Johnson is out and I would guess that neither Bibby or Pachulia will play tonight. So the Hawks will again be operating with a short bench.