Detroit Bad Boys - Pistons vs. Hawks: Detroit forms late comeback but falls short against AtlantaA community of Detroit Pistons fans since 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48119/detroitbadboys-fave.png2015-01-12T10:11:13-05:00http://www.detroitbadboys.com/rss/stream/72872522015-01-12T10:11:13-05:002015-01-12T10:11:13-05:00Pistons commend crowds over weekend
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<img alt="We're back baby!!!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZqwOmnV-dkWiEb1w3SD9afp_FoM=/0x0:2897x1931/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45198676/usa-today-8321393.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>We're back baby!!! | Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Following a weekend of home games at the Palace where both crowds exceeded 18,000, Pistons players have spoken about the atmosphere.</p> <p>Traditionally, at least in the last few seasons, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> have languished in the bottom of the NBA standings. However, another category that they have been struggling in is home attendance, with the Pistons averaging one of the smallest attendances in the league.</p>
<p>Here are the numbers:</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Year</td>
<td>Avg. attendance</td>
<td>NBA rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14/15</td>
<td>14,280</td>
<td>29th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13/14</td>
<td>15,005<span> </span>
</td>
<td>26th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12/13</td>
<td>14,782<span> </span>
</td>
<td>28th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11/12</td>
<td>14,413</td>
<td>28th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10/11</td>
<td>16,660</td>
<td>18th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>09/10</td>
<td>18,751</td>
<td>
<p>8th</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Pistons were the hottest team in the NBA over the weekend, before the red hot <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a>, leaders of the East and currently on an eight-game streak of their own, came to the Palace and dismantled the Pistons 106-103. While the scoreline indicates a close game, the reality was that the Pistons were blown off the court in the first half by Atlanta's crisp ball movement and perfect defense. It took a late hot surge from <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> and excellent rim protection from <span>Anthony Tolliver</span> no less, to really make this game close.</p>
<p>Despite the lopsided first half, the 18,859 fans in attendance decided to stick around and see if these new Pistons really were legit, something <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> noticed:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"I thought it was great, because the way we played in the first half, they could have very well just given up on us. I thought they tried to push us forward there at the end of the game and give us some life. It was nice to hear and I think it helped our guys."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Fans certainly would have been forgiven for leaving early after the display the Pistons served up, but the fact that they stayed really shows the renewed interest in this basketball team from the city, also evidenced by the 19,301 who then showed up to witness the Pistons 98-93 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> the next night. However, the biggest thing appears to be fun amongst the group, something <span>Jonas Jerebko</span> noted.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"It's fun, man. It's fun back at The Palace. I've seen it a few times, but it's fun seeing it two days in a row. The city is really coming behind us. We're trying to show them a good product that's easy to sell. I think it's pretty fun to watch us play right now."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Home court advantage is a key component in the NBA, and the crowd atmosphere can really go a long way to create some level of intimidation amongst travelling supporters and teams. Take the Toronto game in December, when the Palace was packed, but mostly with #WeTheNorth hooligans, who were allowed to waltz on center court after the game and commemorate the occasion. The Palace now needs to become a fortress, here are some other players on the newfound support.</p>
<p><span>Brandon Jennings</span> on what keeps the fans coming back:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"With us going on that win streak and playing hard, I think it just brings the fans. It's a blue-collar state, so they enjoy hard work."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span>Kyle Singler</span> on building a fortress (forming a f*cking wall if you will):</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"We need to win at home more than we have been. Just in general, we have got to play with the type of confidence at home, play with a little bit of an edge."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Brandon Jennings on crowd influence:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"Especially with the help of the fans, it's definitely going to be tough when we get into those stretches where the games get close and the fans get loud. Just the whole atmosphere, it gets us going."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span>Greg Monroe</span> on what the fan support means:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"It definitely feels good. We always are grateful for the fan support, so it's definitely good to be in a pretty much packed house and to get the win."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><i>*All <a href="http://www.nba.com/pistons/features/pistons-celebrate-rockin-palace-city-really-coming-behind-us-right-now" target="_blank">quotes from Pistons.com</a>.</i></p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2015/1/12/7530371/pistons-appreciate-newfound-fandomBen Quagliata2015-01-10T14:54:58-05:002015-01-10T14:54:58-05:00Andre Drummond was sick vs. Hawks
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<figcaption>Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Drummond only played 17 minutes on Friday night. </p> <p>It was after the embarrassing <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> game in December when <span>Andre Drummond</span> made a comment about needing to give <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> fans a reason to get to The Palace. The Pistons have finally given their fans plenty of reason and unfortunately the young big man couldn't even enjoy it against the <a style="text-decoration: underline; background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a>.</p>
<p>The Palace saw a turnout of almost 20,000 on Friday night, the second-largest crowd of the season, but Drummond only played 17 minutes due to an illness.</p>
<p>Drummond looked lethargic from the start of the game and simply not himself, leading to speculation during the game that he was laboring due to the cold he supposedly battled earlier in the week. <a href="http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nba/pistons/2015/01/10/21545729/" target="_blank">Stan Van Gundy confirmed</a> as much after the game.</p>
<p>"He was sick this morning at the walk through," Van Gundy said. "He tried to play, but I thought he had no energy at all in the first half. At half time he said he could go so we put him back out there again and he wasn't even getting up an down the floor, he was just walking around, so it just made no sense."</p>
<p>Drummond was replaced by <span>Joel Anthony</span> at the 7:51 mark in the third and did not return. He finished with four points, five rebounds and two steals.</p>
<p>No word on Drummond's status for Saturday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a>, but<a href="https://twitter.com/AndreDrummondd/status/553993395333775360" target="_blank"> he recently posted his normal game day Instagram photo</a>, so that means he should be good to go, right?</p>
<p>Now your thoughts.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2015/1/10/7525431/andre-drummond-sick-couldnt-finish-game-vs-hawksPackey2015-01-09T22:57:49-05:002015-01-09T22:57:49-05:00Pistons furious rally falls short against Hawks
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7-vKtsuY2ecxSyX37dkwGNEqQeE=/0x0:3013x2009/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45190150/usa-today-8321176.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The streak is over. Time to start a new one. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> had just a little bit of magic left in them. Detroit had the ball with 1.3 seconds down 3 but a <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> heave fell short and the Pistons fell 106-103 to the surging <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a>.</p>
<p>On a night when the Hawks played just about the prettiest offense and most disciplined defense I've seen this season, it was going to be difficult for the Pistons to win. With Andre Drummond ineffective due to a battle with sickness it was nearly impossible.</p>
<p>Still, they had a chance. The Pistons were down by as many as 23 and the Hawks were humming. The fact that the Pistons were even able to make this a game at all is a testament to their newfound grit and determination.</p>
<p>KCP led the Pistons with 20 points but it took him 23 shots to get there, including 16 three-pointers, five of which in the last two minutes. He made just four 3s but his statline is the encapsulation of just how frustrated the Pistons were against the stout Atlanta defense. The Hawks were always in the right position and moving all over the place. The Pistons couldn't get into the paint at all and had to settle with any open 3-pointer they could find.</p>
<p>The Pistons shot 43 threes on the night, a franchise high, making just 13 of them.</p>
<p><span>Greg Monroe</span> had 15 and 12 but again struggled to convert his shots in the paint. The heroes for Detroit were <span>Anthony Tolliver</span>, <span>Joel Anthony</span> and <span>Kyle Singler</span>.</p>
<p>The Hawks had six players in double figures led by Al Horford's 19 points and 16 rebounds. His frontcourt teammate <span>Paul Millsap</span> scored 17.</p>
<p>Tolliver came into the game with the team desperate to find offense and he delivered. Tolliver had 15 points in only 18 minutes, including a few key 3-points when the Pistons were in danger of letting the game slip away for good. Singler, meanwhile, was the only starter to crack 50 percent shooting and shot his team back into the game in the second half.</p>
<p>Anthony didn't fill up the stat sheet but he played quality paint defense after it was leaking like a sieve. Drummond, Monroe and <span>Brandon Jennings</span> combined to give a seeming endless amount of unimpeded looks at the basket to the Hawks. And when they weren't waltzing into the paint, the Hawks were hitting open jumpers.</p>
<p>The Hawks led 64-45 at the half behind 55 percent shooting, hitting eight 3s. Things tightened up in the second half when the Pistons were able to dial up the defensive intensity behind Anthony and, surprisingly, Tolliver. Look at this block:</p>
<p><iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OpUMm55l6Ab/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The Pistons eventually just threw away their offensive playbook and seemed to ask anyone to make some damn 3-pointers. Eventually, they were able to scratch and claw their way back into the game and the Palace crowd responded.</p>
<p>Truly, the best thing about this game was probably the crowd. While quiet in the first half, when the Pistons came back the fans responded. It was loud, raucous and there were some vintage "DEEE-TROIT Basketballs!" delivered by Mason.</p>
<p>But the Pistons were simply overmatched. In this battle of teams happy to no longer be employing Josh Smith, Atlanta was simply the better one. As the Hawks excellent Twitter account said:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The Hawks are the Josh Smith effect fully realized RT <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNationNBA">@SBNationNBA</a>: The Pistons’ streak is over. Atlanta survives the Josh Smith effect.</p>
— Hawksdawgs (@hawksdawgs) <a href="https://twitter.com/hawksdawgs/status/553748437280100354">January 10, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>I came away from this game with a newfound respect for just how good the Hawks were. They look like the best team in the East and legitimate contenders for an NBA title. They are so good defensively with so many weapons offensively, that it will be hard for any team, East or West to stop them.</p>
<p>It's not about moral victories in Detroit with the playoffs a very real possibility, but the team showed something tonight. The unsustainably hot shooting abandoned them tonight and yet they still found a way to make it a game. Against a great team.</p>
<p>The idea that the Pistons are a bad basketball team that had an odd little winning streak after ditching <span>Josh Smith</span> needs to be put to rest. This is a good, if flawed, basketball team. And they look more and more like a team that is ready to fight its way into the playoffs.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2015/1/9/7523521/pistons-vs-hawks-final-score-detroit-rally-falls-just-short-vs-eastsSean Corp2015-01-09T21:19:31-05:002015-01-09T21:19:31-05:00Pistons-Hawks never played a game like this<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/553709585274777600">Pistons-Hawks never played a game like&nbsp;this</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>RIVALRY!</p></p></div>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2015/1/9/7523297/pistons-hawks-never-played-a-game-like-thisPackey2015-01-09T19:08:05-05:002015-01-09T19:08:05-05:00Pistons are embracing 'the wall'<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/vgoodwill/status/553679198276308994">Pistons are embracing 'the&nbsp;wall'</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>The Pistons are going all in on "the wall" after Stan Van Gundy's now-infamous timeout yell. Their cheerleaders are decked out in "The Wall vs. Everybody" shirts, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/1/9/7522799/pistons-embracing-stan-van-gundys-form-a-f-ing-wall-rally-cry">the team will even be introduced to Pink Floyd's "The Wall."</a> From zero to 100, real quick.</p></p></div>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2015/1/9/7522971/pistons-are-embracing-the-wallDrew Garrison2015-01-09T11:19:53-05:002015-01-09T11:19:53-05:00Pistons vs. Hawks: Playoff preview?
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<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The scorching Detroit Pistons host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. Can the Pistons end another six-game winning streak and extend theirs to eight?</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> just won both games on the Texas Two-Step to extend their winning streak to seven games. They now face the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> who come in sporting their own six-game winning streak. Will the streak reach eight?</p>
<h4>Game Vitals</h4>
<p><strong>Where:</strong> The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI</p>
<p><strong>When:</strong> 7:30 p.m ET, Friday, Jan. 9th, 2015</p>
<p><strong>Watch:</strong> Fox Sports Detroit</p>
<h4>Pre-Game Analysis</h4>
<p>On Wednesday the Detroit Pistons <a target="new" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2015/1/7/7510627/pistons-vs-mavericks-2015-final-score-highlights">beat the Dallas Mavericks 108-95</a> to extend their win streak to seven games, completing the Texas Two-Step undefeated. Both teams came in sporting a six-game winning streak. Though the two-step looks like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_H1x2MpeEk">this</a>, it more so felt like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMpQgDbqz6U">this</a>. Next up are the Atlanta Hawks who come to The Palace on their own six-game winning streak.</p>
<p>Detroit lead from opening tip to closing horn against the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a>, leading by as many as 17. The Pistons won every quarter except for the second quarter and scored 30 or more in two quarters. <span>Andre Drummond</span> only played three quarters but was still able to grab 19 rebounds. <span>Greg Monroe</span> stepped up to the plate and <a target="new" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2015/1/7/7512495/pistons-vs-mavericks-greg-monroe-has-breakout-game-in-win-vs-mavs">had a breakout game</a> to the tune of 27 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists. And with <span>Brandon Jennings</span> having his second consecutive off game, <span>D.J. Augustin</span> stepped up off the bench to the tune of 26 points on 9-for-16 shooting (4-for-5 from long distance).</p>
<p>Though the Pistons won by 13, their sixth double-digit win during the streak, their margin of victory during the streak is now only...15.0! That still leads all teams over the last seven games, two more than the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a>. Take a look at this. Over the last seven games for all teams, the Pistons are:</p>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:none;">Number One
<ul>
<li>Margin of Victory</li>
<li>Net Rating</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="list-style-type:none;">Top Five
<ul>
<li>Field Goal Percentage</li>
<li>Three Point Percentage</li>
<li>Rebounds</li>
<li>Steals</li>
<li>Points</li>
<li>Offensive Rating</li>
<li>Defensive Rating</li>
<li>True Shooting Percentage</li>
<li>Effective Field Goal Percentage</li>
<li>Opponent Three Point Percentage</li>
<li>Opponent Points</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="list-style-type:none;">Top Ten
<ul>
<li>Turnovers</li>
<li>Opponent Field Goal Percentage</li>
<li>Opponent Turnovers</li>
<li>Opponent Steals</li>
<li>Opponent Blocks</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>But the Hawks are not a bad team either. They come to The Palace as the top dog in the Eastern Conference, a whole two and a half games over the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Raptors</a> and <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a>. In their last six they have beaten the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a> (a night after losing to them by 30), the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>, the <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a>, the Portland Trailblazers, the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> and the <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Memphis Grizzlies</a>. Their margin of victory during the streak has been 7.7.</p>
<p>However, you cannot just look at their last six games. Honestly, you have to look at the fact that they have only lost two games since Thanksgiving. I will say, both of those games they probably should not have lost as they were to the Bucks and <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orlando Magic</a> (by one point). This team is deadly, and the Pistons better be on the top of their game.</p>
<h4>Players To Watch</h4>
<p><strong><span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span></strong></p>
<p>This is not for offensive reasons, but for defense. See below.</p>
<p><strong><span>Kyle Korver</span></strong></p>
<p>Yes, the Pistons are fourth in opponent three point percentage over the last seven games. But you cannot leave Kyle Korver open. This year he is shooting an astounding 51-percent from deep on nearly six attempts per game. And no, this is not a fluke season. He shot 53.6-percent (granted, on only 2.1 attempts per game) in 2009-10 with the Jazz but he has never had a lower three point percentage than 35.2-percent. I repeat, you cannot leave him open!</p>
<h4>Last Time We Met</h4>
<p><em>November 21st, 2014 - Hawks won 99-89.</em></p>
<p>In another return trip to Hot-lanta for <span>Josh Smith</span>, the Pistons lost by 10 after staying even with the Hawks in the second half. Smith finished the game 8-for-19 (missed his only three pointer) for 16 points to go along with eight rebounds and five assists. Greg Monroe, only playing 21 minutes, was 4-for-7 for 10 points with eight rebounds. Andre Drummond had another double-double grabbing 16 boards on a tough shooting night going 5-for-12 for 13 points. The Hawks had all of their starters in double figures. <span>Jeff Teague</span> lead the Hawks in points with 28 to go with two triples, four rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.</p>
<h4>Score Prediction</h4>
<p>I am honestly concerned about this game. With the Hawks being 20-2 since Thanksgiving, they seem just as unstoppable as we have been lately. However, someone has to lose. LET IT BE THE HAWKS!</p>
<p><em>Pistons 102, Hawks 95</em></p>
<h4>Lineup Prediction</h4>
<p><strong>Pistons:</strong> Jennings, Caldwell-Pope, Singler, Monroe, Drummond</p>
<p><strong>Hawks:</strong> Teague, Korver, Carroll, Millsap, Horford</p>
<h4>Injuries</h4>
<p><strong>Pistons:</strong> None</p>
<p><strong>Hawks:</strong> None</p>
<p><em><strong>Community Question:</strong> With the Pistons surging towards a possible playoff spot, likely the 7th or 8th seed, could this be the preview of the first round of the playoffs?</em></p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2015/1/9/7514575/pistons-vs-hawks-preview-a-playoff-previewJason Brunskowski