Atlanta Hawks Game Preview: Jan. 18 Detroit Pistons

Key To The Game For Detroit: Get Key Hawks In Foul Trouble

Something the Pistons could do to tilt things in their favor is getting the Hawks into foul trouble. That’s been a problem for Dennis Schroder lately. Against Boston, his fouling issues caused him to only play 23 minutes. Malcolm Delaney has been solid lately, but the Hawks need a productive Schroder on the court to beat good teams.

The same can be said for Dwight Howard. In their match-up from November, Andre’ Drummond did his best to get Howard in foul trouble. Howard had five fouls in the game, scoring just two points and grabbing just six rebounds in 25 minutes. The Pistons won easily, 121-85.

As a team, the Pistons attempt the second fewest free-throws per game in the NBA. Their free-throw percentage ranks just 26th in the league at 74.2 percent. They have a slithery point guard than can get to the rim and they have a bruising center down low. It seems like they should be drawing more fouls. There’s no better time to start than the present.

Is it insulting that I think the only way Detroit can win this game is by forcing two of Atlanta’s best players to play limited minutes due to foul trouble (or by launching threes and hoping they go in)? Probably so, but it is what it is. Howard being on the bench means Detroit can control the rebounding battle. Schroder playing limited minutes means Reggie Jackson has one less thing to worry about. It would change the entire complexion of the game.