Atlanta Hawks: 3 keys to victory over the Detroit Pistons
After the start of the season where the Atlanta Hawks were flying, they have crashed back to earth. They have suffered through injury after injury to some major rotation pieces and as a result, their season was headed towards the rocks.
However, they had a win against the Philadelphia 76ers, and then last game they held the Minnesota Timberwolves off. This then brings them to the game at hand against the Detroit Pistons, owners of the worst record in the league at 3-10.
The Pistons made a series of offseason moves, one of which bought Jerami Grant to the team. While he has been spectacular, the rest of the team is struggling. Blake Griffin, who was once their great hope is not the player he once was and Derrick Rose is good, but not great anymore.
Atlanta Hawks key No. 1) Crash the boards
The Pistons are last in the NBA with only 31.6 defensive rebounds per game. They are collecting the eighth highest number of offensive rebounds with 11.1 per game. They are one of the best at stopping the opposition from cleaning the offensive glass, holding their opponents to just 8.5 per game which is third in the league.
The issue for the Pistons against the Hawks is the Swiss pivot, Clint Capela. He is a beast on the boards and has the potential to create some history by collecting his eleventh straight double-digit rebounding game.
Atlanta Hawks key No. 2) Attack the paint
More from Soaring Down South
- Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
- Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
- When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
- Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
- Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal
The Pistons have one of the worst defenses in the NBA. They are giving up 58.1 percent from inside the arc as well as giving up 38.9 percent from deep, which is the 26th in the NBA. They are 22nd in the NBA in points allowed, giving up 113. 6 points on 83.8 field goal attempts per game which is the best in the NBA.
With this porous defense, getting into the paint is crucial. If the Pistons defense collapses on the paint man, they have the ability to kick the ball out. With how well the Pistons defense is going, the shooter is very likely to be open.
Atlanta Hawks Key No. 3) Key matchup De’Andre Hunter vs Jerami Grant
Since arriving at the Pistons, Jerami Grant has been really good. He has averaged 24.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 36.3 minutes per game. Even with Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose being on the team, Grant has been the best player on the season.
Should the Hawks show interest in Kevin Porter Jr?. dark. Next
De’Andre Hunter is fresh off his best game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and should have the confidence to go with Grant. He will challenge Grant on both ends of the floor, causing him to work harder than he has all season.