Guards Carry Pistons in 100-91 Win Over Hawks

For the second straight game, the four major Pistons' guards combined for the bulk of the team's points to help take out the opposition. 

On Wednesday night, Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon, Rodney Stuckey, and Will Bynum compiled 72 of the team's 113 points in their victory of Milwaukee.  On Sunday evening, it was much of the same as the four combined for 68 points en route to a nine point win against the Atlanta Hawks.

Gordon led the four with 22 points on 6-12 shooting (3-6 from three-point land).  Stuckey was 7-11 shooting, which was good for 20 points.  Rip contributed 15 points on 6-9 shooting.  The three shot 59%.  

Will Bynum had his first off-game of the preseason, but still wound up scoring 11 points on 4-11 shooting.  He also added four assists.  

The most unique stat of the night might be that the Pistons had three buzzer beaters, all coming from the top three scorers, in ascending order (and arguably in ascending order of impressiveness).  Richard Hamilton beat the buzzer in the first quarter, Stuckey swished one at the end of the half, and Ben Gordon nailed the most impressive with a half-court shot to beat the clock at the end of the third quarter.  You could say that these three's last second makes were the main difference makers in this game.  

Some other notes/thoughts: 

• Ben Wallace, Kwame Brown, Chris Wilcox, and Jason Maxiell had another solid showing:  16 points on 5-9 shooting, and 21 rebounds.  
• This was the first preseason game Detroit was out-rebounded.  Hawks snagged 48 to Detroit's 36.  Hawks corralled 18 offensive rebounds, while Detroit had just seven.  We should probably get used to seeing this difference.
• Tayshaun Prince was 0-5 with three rebounds.  
• Chucky Atkins saw his first action of the preseason (a little over seven minutes).  He was 1-2 shooting, good for three points.
• Austin Daye's length is proving to be a valuable asset on the defensive side of things.  He had another two blocks in limited action, which makes that five total in the preseason in 27+ minutes.  
• Jonas Jerebko made the most of his 17 minutes.  He scored six and grabbed six rebounds.  
• Remember, Charlie Villanueva STILL hasn't played.  This team could be lethal when he does return, or there could just be way too many scorers to keep everyone happy or effective.  Hopefully, he can return soon, so we can get a look at this team with CV31.
• Another 57 fouls called by the replacement refs, but no ejections as far as I know.  
• Video highlights after the jump