Atlanta Hawks Player Grades From Win over Detroit

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts with Clint Capela #15 during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Recapping the Atlanta Hawks’ victory over Detroit.

The Atlanta Hawks faced off with the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, pulling out a 128-120 victory in their home opener.

The team did not look good on defense tonight, letting the Pistons hang around longer than they should have. They went up 20 in the fourth quarter but after the Pistons cut it down to 11, coach Lloyd Pierce had to put his starters back in.

The Pistons continued to fight and trailed by just five with a minute left. A cute (and very smart) timeout while falling out of bounds by Trae Young helped seal the win.

Offensive rebounds plagued the Hawks and were a big reason Detroit stayed in the game. Despite Clint Capela making his debut with the team, the Pistons out-rebounded them 17-8 on that end.

Atlanta definitely showed the good and the bad of their new team, putting up impressive offensive numbers but struggling on the defensive end. Struggling on defense is always bad, but it’s even worst given the competition.

The Pistons aren’t especially talented when fully healthy and they were missing Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin tonight as well. If they don’t improve on that end, things could get ugly when Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris come to town on Wednesday.

In the end, a win is a win, but the Hawks didn’t look impressive tonight as they did in the first two games.

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