Detroit Bad Boys - Pistons vs. Hawks preview: Detroit comes back to beat Atlanta in back-end of back-to-backA community of Detroit Pistons fans since 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48119/detroitbadboys-fave.png2014-10-19T12:42:24-04:00http://www.detroitbadboys.com/rss/stream/67637302014-10-19T12:42:24-04:002014-10-19T12:42:24-04:00Van Gundy 'calmly' stressing effort, consistency
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/58TGcmNhm_0C1dhFL0YWpNWqadM=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42251016/20141018_sng_ad1_104.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Detroit Pistons' first-year coach said again on Saturday night that with years of losing came bad habits that are tough to break, but the Pistons must break to win. </p> <p>ATLANTA — In the fourth quarter of the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a>' preseason game against the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a>, <span>Al Horford</span> burned <span>Andre Drummond</span> in the post for an easy bucket. Drummond competitively tried to issue payback on the other end by way of a slam dunk shot -- our favorite! -- but the dunk was not as good as the post move he put on Horford and the ball hung on the rim, eventually dropping out to the Hawks' John Jenkins. Jenkins pushed it up the floor, Horford followed and was around for another easy bucket.</p>
<p>Drummond was lagging behind, coming on to the scene too late.</p>
<p><span>Stan Van Gundy</span> immediately called timeout and served Drummond with a dish of what some might call an earful. <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/detroitbadboys/status/523648490074021888">"Teaching moment"</a> was a good way of putting it at the time.</p>
<p>Two possessions and less than a minute later, Drummond got beat down the court again, as he stayed behind to argue what he thought was a foul when he was stripped by a double team. Van Gundy, visibly frustrated, called another timeout.</p>
<p>Van Gundy was asked about the two timeouts after the game. With his hands in his pockets, looking down at the ground, Van Gundy sarcastically said, "Yeah, I just calmly asked them for a little more effort."</p>
<p>After a laugh and a brief loss of words, Van Gundy got serious. He held up an exasperated fist and said inspiringly, "We can win. We can. We can win, but we gotta do the things that it takes to win every night."</p>
<div class="pullquote">
"There are habits to change. When you've lost for a long time, you get into losing habits." <span>— Stan Van Gundy</span>
</div>
<p>That includes max effort and competing hard enough in gut-check times such as a fourth quarter in the back-end of a back-to-back two days after a grueling four-hour practice. Even in the preseason. Because the preseason is the best time to break the bad habits that Van Gundy has repeatedly been saying the Pistons need to break.</p>
<p>"There are habits to change. When you've lost for a long time, you get into losing habits. Nobody wants to lose and a lot of times guys don't even realize the habits they've fallen into because they're still NBA players and they're playing well. It's really just playing it out. I think they want to change, it just has to be more consistent."</p>
<p>Breaking a player's bad habits is what Van Gundy has been known for. Read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/5/13/5713812/stan-van-gundy-detroit-pistons-rumors-coach-front-office">what Orlando Pinstriped Post's Evan Dunlap wrote</a> two summers ago when the Pistons were looking for a(nother) head coach and he thought Van Gundy would make a good fit:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"If a guy blows a defensive assignment, Van Gundy will take him out. Guys can't skate by on talent alone: <i>Van Gundy attempts to divest them of their bad habits</i>, and only after they've done that will they earn a spot in his rotation."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The guy the Pistons hired to be their eye for talent seems to think the Pistons do have the talent to win contrary to what fans may think. How many games is unclear -- maybe Van Gundy's trying to convince himself more than the team. After all, he's never been in a losing situation before.</p>
<p>Saturday night was "a real step forward for us," said Van Gundy. After his second timeout, the Pistons erased a 12-point deficit and outscored the Hawks 30-14 the rest of the way.</p>
<p>A win.</p>
<p>A win that never would have happened last year.</p>
<p><span>Brandon Jennings</span> admitted as much in the locker room after the game. "We would've definitely just folded. It would have gotten uglier and uglier," he said.</p>
<p>Even if it takes timeout after timeout, Van Gundy won't allow his team to fold.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/10/19/7001953/stan-van-gundy-effort-consistency-bad-habits-winning-detroit-pistonsPackey2014-10-19T02:54:38-04:002014-10-19T02:54:38-04:00Josh Smith injures ankle, doesn't return vs. Hawks
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dxM2-KCllWdzbilw_1uNLv5leQ0=/0x1000:2672x2781/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42220164/20141018_ads_ad1_093.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Josh Smith only played six and a half minutes in the second half -- all in the third quarter -- due to an injured ankle. </p> <p>ATLANTA — <span>Josh Smith</span> came down hobbling after hitting a half hook in the paint at the 5:29 mark of the third quarter during Saturday night's <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> win in Atlanta. Smith immediately hunched over in pain before limping toward the Pistons' bench where he met Arnie Kander.</p>
<p>Smith and Kander walked to the end of the bench where Kander worked his normal magic. Smith would not play the rest of the game, and the injury was a<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Keith_Langlois/status/523652384061677569"> good guess</a> as to why.</p>
<p>After the game, <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> confirmed that Smith did injure his ankle and also called it a strange thing. New athletic trainer Jon Ishop went to Van Gundy and thought Smith could've gone back in the game, but by the time Van Gundy wanted to go back to Smith with about 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Smith wasn't ready to go, that maybe he had sat too long. (And it is just the preseason, after all.)</p>
<p>Smith was walking around the locker room without a noticeable limp after the game and <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Keith_Langlois/status/523662835680034817">told Keith Langlois that he's fine.</a> But it might be something worth keeping an eye on.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/10/19/7001975/josh-smith-injury-ankle-vs-hawks-clearedPackey2014-10-19T01:59:06-04:002014-10-19T01:59:06-04:00Pistons vs. Hawks: The good, the bad and the ugly
<figure>
<img alt="The swag is back." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eODd7VaeuqHCSHWyEnMpQmpIKV0=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42212450/20141018_sng_ad1_106.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The swag is back. | Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A swag overload in the final quarter led Detroit to its 4th win of preseason. Here's the good, the bad and the ugly from Saturday night's win in Atlanta.</p> <p><b>The Good</b></p>
<p>--<span> </span>Andre Drummond had a monster game, finishing with 19 points and 17 rebounds in 38 minutes.</p>
<p>--<span> </span>Brandon Jennings found his shot late in the game, going for 16 points to add to 11 assists and only 1 turnover. He was 4-6 from deep.</p>
<p>--<span> </span>4th quarter defense. The Pistons are known for collapsing late in games, but not Saturday night. They surged ahead of Atlanta with a 35-23 quarter, even keeping the Hawks scoreless for stretches spanning upward of four minutes.</p>
<p>--<span> </span>The plus-minus of some of our more maligned players was very good. I realize this stat isn't all-indicative of play, but the fact that Smith had a positive (+4) is encouraging. Monroe (+15), Singler (+13) and Jennings (+21) were also standouts.</p>
<p><b>The Bad</b></p>
<p>-- No minutes for Tony Mitchell and Gigi Datome again, thus further indicating perhaps they will not be in the rotation come opening night</p>
<p>--<span> </span>Caron Butler's struggles continue, going 0-3 for the game (all from three). With Singler finding his shot early on, he looks to be in line to start on opening night at SF.</p>
<p>-- Andre Drummond only made 1-7 from the foul line, including four in the final minute of the game.</p>
<p><b>The Ugly</b></p>
<p>-- Turnovers nearly cost the team tonight, as they coughed up the rock on 18 occasions compared to the Hawks' 14. The Hawks scored 25 points off these turnovers.</p>
<p>-- The 3rd quarter. The Pistons were limited to 15 points in the 3rd, as it looked like the fatigue of playing a back-to-back was settling in.</p>
<p>Now your thoughts.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/10/19/7001623/pistons-hawks-preseason-the-good-bad-uglyBen Quagliata2014-10-18T23:13:45-04:002014-10-18T23:13:45-04:00Pistons erase 13-point deficit to beat Hawks
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zSvf6RasdDBWjmz9hsffh80CbRY=/0x1340:2672x3121/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42211940/20141018_ads_ad1_096.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Pistons overcame a lackluster third and start to the fourth to ultimately fly away from Atlanta with a 104-100 win. </p> <p>ATLANTA — The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> wiped out a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to come back and beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> on Saturday night, 104-100. After being outscored 25-15 in the third and an ugly start to the fourth quarter, it certainly looked and felt like the Pistons were going to lose their second straight game in as many nights. But the Pistons battled back, led by <span>Andre Drummond</span>, <span>Brandon Jennings</span> and <span>D.J. Augustin</span> to steal one in the final nine minutes of the game.</p>
<p>Drummond led the way for the Pistons overall in the game with 19 points and 17 rebounds, adding three blocks and a couple steals. Jennings poured 16 thanks to 4-of-6 shooting from three and had 11 dimes opposite just one turnover. D.J. Augustin played alongside Jennings for much of the second half, including all of the fourth, and contributed 14 points. It was Augustin's 20-footer with 50 seconds remaining that put the Pistons up four, 104-100, for good.</p>
<p>The game's final 50 seconds consisted of eight straight missed free throws between <span>Paul Millsap</span> and Andre Drummond with a Millsap missed three mixed in.</p>
<p>I was at the game, so I will have more when I get home and can fully process my first experience on media row.</p>
<p>In the meantime, check out <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400583993" target="_blank">the box score</a>.</p>
<p>You can also r<a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2014/10/18/7001561/pistons-vs-hawks-final-score" target="_blank">ead Peachtree Hoops' recap by Kris Willis</a>, who was kind enough to show me the ropes at Philips Arena.</p>
<p><b>ROLL CALL</b></p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="20">#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Goose15">Goose15</a></td>
<td>35</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BadBoySkip">BadBoySkip</a></td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/heWizard">heWizard</a></td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/OK%20from%20J">OK from J</a></td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Aris%20Kafadogias">Aris Kafadogias</a></td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bonerici">bonerici</a></td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jayod">jayod</a></td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Packey">Packey</a></td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheGille">TheGille</a></td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kriz">Kriz</a></td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/alaskanpistonsfan">alaskanpistonsfan</a></td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>12</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mike%20Payne">Mike Payne</a></td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bugman222">bugman222</a></td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>14</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Hypnowheel">Hypnowheel</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/J%20Dre">J Dre</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>16</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/IamPAP">IamPAP</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/smackdab">smackdab</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>18</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrHappyMushroom">MrHappyMushroom</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/freywagg">freywagg</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>20</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tads">tads</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Iron%20Sheik">Iron Sheik</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>22</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/V.">V.</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kellen%20Moore%20Our%20Savior%3F">Kellen Moore Our Savior?</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>24</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SRK756100">SRK756100</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Joe%20Cool99">Joe Cool99</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>26</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/awesome.hog">awesome.hog</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Balibago">Balibago</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>28</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/I%20Got%20Munnyz">I Got Munnyz</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DBB%20Diablo">DBB Diablo</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>30</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/-PS-">-PS-</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lazchance">lazchance</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>32</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/revken">revken</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Justin%20Lambregtse">Justin Lambregtse</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>34</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/subic%20sailor">subic sailor</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RoverTO">RoverTO</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>36</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/CheerstoLilWayne">CheerstoLilWayne</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/10/18/7001593/pistons-hawks-final-score-box-highlights-andre-drummond-effortPackey2014-10-18T18:52:54-04:002014-10-18T18:52:54-04:00Big 3 won't see minutes together vs. Hawks
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kiE5fpQaplLJWj1VVh_9tLC8-FY=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42200114/20131122_mta_aa1_044.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Stan Van Gundy wants to take a longer look at the wings during Saturday night's preseason game. </p> <p>ATLANTA – <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> was adamant before the game that he was not happy with the team's defense on Friday night in Orlando, particularly from his big men. He said he expects <span>Andre Drummond</span>, <span>Greg Monroe</span> and <span>Josh Smith</span> to anchor the defense. Drummond had five blocks, but Van Gundy was quick to discredit the statistic as any indication that the penguin played well on defense.</p>
<p>Van Gundy does not plan on playing the 'Big 3' together on Saturday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a>, stating that he wants to get a longer look at the wings.</p>
<p>Monroe, who will be suspended for the first two games of the regular season, will come off the bench while Drummond and Smith start. <span>Kyle Singler</span> will play small forward with <span>Brandon Jennings</span> and <span>Cartier Martin</span> in the backcourt.</p>
<p>The Hawks will start <span>Jeff Teague</span>, <span>Kyle Korver</span>, <span>DeMarre Carroll</span>, Paul Milsap and Al Horford. Mike Budenholzer said before the game, though, that he doesn't anticipate any playing deep into the fourth quarter. He did say that he wants to start extending them as the season nears, but surprisingly, none of his starters have played a minute in the fourth quarter this preseason.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/10/18/7000981/piston-vs-hawks-stan-van-gundy-doesnt-plan-to-play-andre-drummondPackey2014-10-18T18:30:02-04:002014-10-18T18:30:02-04:00Pistons vs. Hawks preseason GameThread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qgoadw8_k3XJn20qDbxsXGyW4yU=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42189656/20140221_ads_aa1_088.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Here is your GameThread for the Pistons-Hawks preseason game, the back-end of a back-to-back for the Pistons.</p> <p> </p>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" align="center" border="1"><tbody> <tr></tr> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="silver">2014 Preseason</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3482853/detroit-pistons-logo-225.jpg"></center></td> <th width="20" align="center"> <br id="1390356735579">@</th> <td width="240"><center> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Atlanta Hawks" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KeiEs-XBP17dat_cp6SuR7YN3W4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/3605385/atlanta-hawks-225.jpg">
</figure>
</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center>3-2 (1-2 away)</center></td> <th width="20" align="center"></th> <td width="240"><center>2-2 (1-0 home) </center></td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="silver"><strong>October 18, 2014, 7:30 p.m. ET</strong></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Philips Arena</strong></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"> <strong>105.1 FM, </strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html?registration_url=ALP%7C14-15%7CNBA%7CLeague%7CAudioLeaguePass%7CMain"><strong>NBA League Pass Audio</strong></a> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=4292&awinaffid=173843&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketsnow.com%2FTicketsNow%2Fdetroit-pistons-tickets%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Pistons Tickets</a></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Odds: </strong></td></tr> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Probable Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right"><span>Brandon Jennings</span></td> <th width="20" align="center">PG</th> <td width="240"><span>Jeff Teague</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right">Cartier Martin</td> <th width="20" align="center">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Kyle Korver</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right">Kyle Singler</td> <th width="20" align="center">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>DeMarre Carroll</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right">Josh Smith</td> <th width="20" align="center">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Paul Millsap</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right"><span>Andre Drummond</span></td> <th width="20" align="center">C</th> <td width="240"><span>Al Horford</span></td> </tr> <tr></tr> </tbody></table>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/10/18/6999709/pistons-vs-hawks-preseason-gamethread-game-time-tv-stream-radio-oddsPackey2014-10-18T12:00:03-04:002014-10-18T12:00:03-04:00Pistons-Hawks: Bounce back in back-to-back?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_zcjz3bX5R1q3IYwchCYuVepY4M=/0x430:2660x2203/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42161658/20131120_kdl_al3_017.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Whoever organized the preseason scheduling needs a good clip around the ears. Why are we playing back-to-backs in preseason?</p> <p>Detroit makes the short flight to Atlanta from Orlando in time for their second game in two nights, the first time we will encounter such scheduling this season. Atlanta, by contrast, have not played since Thursday, so that extra rest will leave them invigorated.</p>
<p><b>Game Vitals</b></p>
<p><b>Where:</b><span> </span>Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA</p>
<p><b>When:</b><span> </span>7:30 Pm E.T. Saturday, October 18, 2014</p>
<p><b>Watch:</b><span> </span>Not televised. On radio, 105.1 FM as usual.</p>
<p><b>Exceptionally Detailed Analysis</b></p>
<p>From what I read on the GameThread vs the <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Magic</a>, the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> played a very unwatchable brand of basketball. <span>Greg Monroe</span> led the team with 24 points and 10 rebounds while D.J. Augustin added 21 off the bench in 24 minutes, to go with as many rebounds as he has feet on his NBA listed height. A positive for the Pistons was the free throw shooting, with Augustin (6-7), <span>Brandon Jennings</span> (7-8) and Monroe (4-5) all making it count at the line. However, both <span>Josh Smith</span> and Brandon Jennings had horrible shooting games, going a combined 2-13, although Smith did lead the team in assists with seven. While Jennings has been struggling with his shot, maybe he can get back into a rhythm by making foul shots. He did go 1-6 against Orlando (1-5 from 3), but did have 7 FT for 10 points, and maybe he just needs to see the ball go through the hoop once. <span>Andre Drummond</span> had a very lackluster game, finishing with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 5 TO. Josh Smith was burned defensively at SF, as <span>Tobias Harris</span> provided more of a challenge than <span>Michael Kidd-Gilchrist</span>.</p>
<p>Atlanta comes into the game on the back of an 85-84 loss to the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a>, with <span>Jimmy Butler</span> hitting the game-winning 3 for the Bulls as time ran out. <span>Mike Scott</span> was the top scorer with 15 while German sophomore PG Dennis Schroeder added 11. The <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hawks</a> have an interesting team. Their primary starting lineup has a lot of offense with <span>Al Horford</span>, <span>Jeff Teague</span>, <span>Kyle Korver</span> and <span>Paul Millsap</span>, but they have a weird bench. They have Michigan State standout <span>Adreian Payne</span> as a rookie PF, overpaid energy defender <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span>, and classic bench Youtube star <span>Kent Bazemore</span>. Nevertheless, the Hawks struggled from three in Chicago, going 7-27, Korver going 3-6 by himself (efficient as always). They were out-rebounded by four, and gave away 13 more personal fouls than Chicago. This game seems like a good one for Drumroe, as they can exploit Atlanta's weak interior defense.</p>
<p><b>Players To Watch</b></p>
<p><b>Pistons:</b><span> </span>D.J. Augustin</p>
<p>Augustin has really stepped up his game in the last two matchups, scoring a combined 37 points vs. Charlotte and Orlando. Whilst I still believe the starting spot is Jennings' to lose, this current form from Augustin has him really in contention. Also, he is showing a great scoring punch off the bench, something which is never too valuable in this league. He will probably get extended minutes again tonight, and can really push Jennings and force Van Gundy to make a decision, as Augustin has not only been scoring well, but also doing other things well. Against Charlotte, he had a lot of assists. Against Orlando he was pulling down rebounds. This all around play will really impress Van Gundy.</p>
<p><b>Hawks:</b><span> </span>Kyle Korver</p>
<p>The Pistons have notoriously weak perimeter defense, especially now that KCP is out for this game at least. He will be re-evaluated after this game when the team returns to Detroit, but for now, a makeshift SG will be likely defending Korver. Whether it's Martin or Singler, or even Butler (though far less likely), they'll have a terrible time trying to run with him off screens and closing him out. Even if he does start at SF, Josh Smith (if he plays there again) will further enforce the prevailing view on this site that we should trade him for a pack of Oreos and a glass of milk. Either way, look for Korver to at least get a lot of shots tonight.</p>
<p><b>Score Predictions</b></p>
<p>I've usually picked the opposite lately, so I'm guessing a Hawks victory. The Pistons looked lethargic last night, so imagine tonight, especially because it's a back-to-back.</p>
<p><i>Hawks 103, Pistons 96</i></p>
<p><b>Lineup Prediction</b></p>
<p>Can I just clarify, I'm writing this preview at 6:30 am E.T, so I have no indication of what the coach is thinking thanks to tweets from beat writers like Goodwill, Mayo, Ellis and Langlois. Therefore, this is pure guestimation.</p>
<p>Pistons:<span> </span>Jennings, Martin, Smith, Monroe, Drummond</p>
<p>Hawks:<span> </span>Schroeder, Korver, Carroll, Scott, Horford</p>
<p><b>Injured/In Doubt</b></p>
<p>Pistons:<span> </span>Meeks (back), Caldwell-Pope (knee), Dinwiddie (knee), Gray (heart), Anthony (probably hasn't met his teammates yet)</p>
<p>Hawks:<span> </span>Teague (injury of some sort), Millsap (see Teague)</p>
<p><b>Community Question</b></p>
<p><i>Is <span>D.J. Augustin's</span> current form enough to earn him the starting spot over Brandon Jennings?</i></p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/10/18/6997911/pistons-hawks-preseason-preview-back-to-back-josh-smith-andre-drummond-greg-monroeBen Quagliata