Nov 22, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap (4) drives to the basket past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) in the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Game Preview
The Atlanta Hawks will have All-Star power forward Paul Millsap available tonight, but backup combo guard Lou Williams is out against the visiting Detroit Pistons.
Williams is out for the second straight game due to a sore left hamstring, while Millsap is able to play despite suffering a thumb contusion in Sunday’s blowout road win against the Indiana Pacers.
This is the fourth-and-final meeting of the season between the Hawks and Pistons with Atlanta having a 2-1 edge in the series. They won the first two meeting of the year, but Detroit won the third and most recent matchup by an eight-point margin in Detroit on Feb. 21.
This is also Josh Smith’s final return of the season to Atlanta, the city he was born in and where he spent his first nine years as a professional after his hometown Hawks drafted him in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft.
Smith signed a four-year deal with Detroit last summer as a free-agent.
The rumors back then were the Hawks never offered J-Smoove a deal, so he was essentially forced to sign elsewhere. Meanwhile, Atlanta brought in Paul Millsap to replace Smith at power forward. With the money they save by not offering Smith a contract, the Hawks were also able to sign Millsap’s teammate in Utah, DeMarre Carroll. Both players have been starters for Atlanta this entire season.
Quick Facts
Who?: Detroit Pistons vs Atlanta Hawks
What?: Josh Smith’s Final Return of 2014 (Game #77, Home Game #38)
Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)
When?: Tuesday, April 8, 2014 – 7:30 PM (ET)
How?: 92.9 FM
Probable Starters
Atlanta Hawks:
PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Kyle Korver | SF: DeMarre Carroll | PF: Paul Millsap | C: Pero Antic
Detroit Pistons:
PG: Brandon Jennings | SG: Kyle Singler | SF: Josh Smith | PF: Greg Monroe | C: Andre Drummond
Injury Report
Atlanta Hawks: Gustavo Ayon (right shoulder surgery), Al Horford (right pectoral muscle surgery), John Jenkins (lower back surgery) and Lou Williams (sore left hamstring) are out.
Detroit Pistons: Will Bynum (sore left foot), Chauncey Billups (left knee surgery) and Josh Harrellson (knee) are out.
Current Records, Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold
Records: Detroit Pistons (28-49) / Atlanta Hawks (34-42)
Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Won 2 | HOME: Won 1 | ROAD: Won 1 Detroit Pistons –> OVERALL: Won 1 | HOME: Won 2 | ROAD: Lost 3
Home/Away Records: Hawks are (25-11) at home / Pistons are (11-26) away.
Series Notes/Past Series Notes
The Hawks host Detroit for the second time in the fourth-and-final matchup this season. Originally scheduled for 1/29, this contest was rescheduled due to inclement weather in Atlanta. The Hawks were victorious in the first two meetings, taking the first contest 93-85 on 11/20 at home and winning the second game 96-89 on 11/22 in Detroit. The host Pistons took the third game 115-107 on 2/21. Atlanta’s Paul Millsap is averaging 18.7 points in three games against the Pistons this season. Detroit’s Brandon Jennings (13.7 points and 11.3 assists) and Andre Drummond (15.0 points and 13.0 rebounds) are each averaging a double-double against the Hawks. Atlanta owns a 10-game home winning streak over Detroit, with the Pistons’ last victory at Philips Arena coming on 2/12/08 (94-90). Atlanta leads the all-time series 171-161 (75-77 at home).
LAST MEETING — PISTONS 115, HAWKS 107 — AUBURN HULLS, MI — 2/21/14
The Hawks started hot, leading by as-many-as-13 in the opening 24 minutes and by 11 at halftime. Atlanta put up 41 second quarter points (season-high for any period) on 17-20 shooting (.850), including a run of 13 straight makes. A 19-6 third quarter run helped the Pistons tie the game and they eventually took a three point advantage into the final stanza. The Hawks tied the contest several times in the fourth, including at 104 with 2:38 to play in the game, but Detroit outscored the visitors 11-3 down the stretch to secure the win. Paul Millsap led the way with 23 points and Shelvin Mack put in a career-high 21. Mike Scott scored 20 off the bench, while Lou Williams added 15 and Kyle Korver 11. Detroit had four players post double-doubles – Greg Monroe (22 points/15 rebounds), Andre Drummond (20 points/11 rebounds), Josh Smith (17 points/10 boards) and Brandon Jennings (12 points/14 assists). The Pistons had advantages of 66-34 in points in the paint, 22-14 in second chance points, 12-10 in fast break points and 19-11 in points off turnovers, while shooting .540 from the field. The Hawks hit .455 from the floor and knocked 13 three-pointers.
Common Threads
The Hawks host Detroit for the second time in the fourth-and-final matchup this season. Originally scheduled for 1/29, this contest was rescheduled due to inclement weather in Atlanta. The Hawks were victorious in the first two meetings, taking the first contest 93-85 on 11/20 at home and winning the second game 96-89 on 11/22 in Detroit. The host Pistons took the third game 115-107 on 2/21. Atlanta’s Paul Millsap is averaging 18.7 points in three games against the Pistons this season. Detroit’s Brandon Jennings (13.7 points and 11.3 assists) and Andre Drummond (15.0 points and 13.0 rebounds) are each averaging a double-double against the Hawks. Atlanta owns a 10-game home winning streak over Detroit, with the Pistons’ last victory at Philips Arena coming on 2/12/08 (94-90). Atlanta leads the all-time series 171-161 (75-77 at home).
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Information was used from the Hawks and Pistons official gamenotes
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