The NBA season has arrived, and the Hawks started it off with an impressive 117-100 over the Detroit Pistons.
Yes, the Pistons were without Blake Griffin, and these are the type of games the Hawks need to win if they want to take the next leap into a playoff team. They made sure to jump out early, with the help of a hot first quarter from Trae Young. He hit big three after big three, some even from the Pistons center logo. He ended the quarter with 16 points, but the Pistons kept it close.
Defense was going to be an issue coming into the season, and it showed in the first half. The Pistons were able to stay in the game with Derrick Rose having a big night, as their guard play was non-existent. Andre Drummond was effective in the first half, but slowed down towards the end of the second half.
A collective group effort
The Hawks reserves played a big role in this game as well. Jabari Parker had a solid game with 18 points, getting whatever he desired in the paint. DeAndre’ Bembry did what he normally does, playing solid defense and putting pressure on the Pistons on offense. Evan Turner played his role backing up Young, and went perfect from the field for nine points.
Rookie De’Andre Hunter played like he’d been in the league for years, shooting 5-for-8 from the field for 14 points.
Second-half surge
After a lack of defense in the first half, the Hawks decided to lock down in the second half. The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, and at one point nobody knew the how much time was on the clock due to the Pistons having technical difficulties.
With about five minutes left, the clock came back on, and the Hawks went on a run to close the game. Two back-to-back steals, and the Hawks lead jumped to 13 points.
Young had himself a night, finishing the game with 38 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. The Pistons just didn’t have an answer for him (especially Bruce Brown).
If this is how some of the Hawks games are going to look this season, fans are going to enjoy watching the excitement. Of course there will be nights where the Hawks come out flat, but that’s just the growing pains of a young team trying to put it all together.
Stay tuned, you don’t want to miss this one.
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