Pistons Cade Cunningham Leads Rising Team, Hawks Defensive Struggles
Pistons vs. Hawks Prediction: Detroit Aims to Build Momentum in Atlanta
The Detroit Pistons (22-21) will head south to take on the Atlanta Hawks (22-20) on Wednesday night in a critical Eastern Conference matchup. With both teams vying for playoff spots, this game holds significant implications as the season approaches the All-Star Break. The opening tip is set for 7:40 PM EST at State Farm Arena.
The Pistons enter this game on a high, having won seven of their last 10 contests. They are coming off a solid 107-96 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday, where star guard Cade Cunningham put up a game-high 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Meanwhile, the Hawks are looking to bounce back after a 119-110 loss to the New York Knicks on MLK Day, which snapped their three-game win streak.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham and a Rising Team
Detroit’s improvement this season has been evident, with the team currently sitting just above .500, well within reach of securing its first playoff spot in 10 years. This marks a significant turnaround from last season when the Pistons only managed 14 wins. They are now riding a wave of positive momentum, largely thanks to the dynamic play of Cade Cunningham.
Since the injury to fellow guard Jaden Ivey (who will be out until March due to a hip injury), Cunningham has emerged as the team’s unquestioned leader. He has been on a tear, putting up 32 points in the win over the Rockets, including 19 points in the third quarter to help secure the lead. Cunningham has been essential in keeping Detroit competitive and in the playoff hunt, especially as the team’s offensive focal point.
Jalen Duren has also continued to impress, contributing a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds in the win over Houston. Malik Beasley’s bench scoring, with 17 points against the Rockets, provides a much-needed spark for Detroit, while second-year guard Ausar Thompson is continuing to rise to prominence with solid all-around performances, including 11 points and nine rebounds.
Detroit ranks 15th in the NBA in scoring with 112.2 points per game. They have been efficient beyond the arc, ranking 14th in 3-point shooting and 15th in 3-point field goals made. However, their defensive struggles persist. The Pistons rank just 29th in 3-point defense and 17th in field goal defense, allowing 114.5 points per game. Despite these challenges, Detroit excels in turnover margin, sitting 8th in the league in that category, and ranks 5th in rebounding, which could play a key role in Wednesday’s game.
Atlanta Hawks: High Scoring but Defensive Issues
The Hawks are currently on the cusp of securing a playoff spot, sitting just two games above .500. After a solid three-game win streak, which included a notable victory over the Boston Celtics, Atlanta faltered in their last game, losing 119-110 to the New York Knicks. Despite shooting 47% from the field and 43% from 3-point range in the loss, the Hawks’ 24 turnovers proved to be a costly factor.
Trae Young has been the driving force behind the Hawks’ offense, averaging 26.9 points and 9.6 assists per game. In the loss to the Knicks, Young led the charge with 27 points, although his 8-of-22 shooting efficiency highlighted some of Atlanta’s offensive inconsistencies. De’Andre Hunter, who scored 22 points in the game, has been another key contributor, though his performances have been somewhat erratic at times.
Offensively, the Hawks rank 6th in the NBA in scoring, averaging 116.2 points per game. However, they have been inefficient in some areas, ranking 20th in 3-point shooting and 23rd in field goal defense. Their inability to stop opponents from scoring has been a consistent issue, with the team ranking 28th in the league in points allowed per game (116.2) and 27th in 3-point defense. Despite these struggles, Atlanta is 11th in the league in rebounding, which has helped offset their defensive deficiencies.
Conclusion
Despite their defensive struggles, Detroit’s overall form and recent play make them the slightly better team coming into this matchup. The Pistons have shown they can compete with top-tier teams, and with Cunningham playing at an elite level, they should be able to edge out the Hawks in a close game. If Detroit can take advantage of Atlanta’s turnover issues and control the glass, they’ll have a good chance of leaving Atlanta with a victory.
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