Hawks vs Pistons: Game Preview, Injury Report, Projected Starting Lineups

The Hawks are hoping to avoid the embarrassment of being the team that helps end the Piston's 23-game losing streak.

Detroit has not won a game since October 28th when they defeated the Chicago Bulls and they have looked dreadful. This could be one of the worst NBA teams in recent memory and Atlanta is hoping not to be the team that gets the Pistons back in the win column.

All of that might depend on how the injury report breaks for the Hawks. On Saturday against the Cavs, on the second night of a back-to-back, Atlanta was without Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela, on top of already missing Jalen Johnson, Kobe Bufkin, Mouhamed Gueye, and AJ Griffin. Atlanta was not able to win that game and the injury report has many of the same names on it.

Bogdanovic, Hunter, and Capela are all questionable for this game tonight so keep an eye on the injury report for tonight.

Let's preview tonight's game between Atlanta and Detroit.

Game Preview

Atlanta should be able to score at will tonight if they are mostly healthy.

Trae Young has been on an absolute tear through the NBA for the past couple of weeks and he should be able to do what he wants tonight against one of the worst defenses in the NBA. Young has scored at least 35 points in three straight games and has been shooting the ball well. Despite the Hawks record, he is making a strong case to be an All-Star this season. Young did not play in the first matchup between these two teams earlier this season

Atlanta's offense is 4th in the NBA in PPG, 20th in FG%, 11th in three-point percentage, 2nd in offensive rebounding, 14th in turnovers, and 11th in free throw attempts. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 4th in points per 100 possessions, 16th in effective field goal percentage, 8th in turnover rate, 4th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 12th in free throw rate.

The Pistons are 25th in PPG allowed, 23rd in field goal percentage allowed, and 20th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Pistons are 27th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 19th in effective field goal percentage.

If Bogdanovic is out, the Hawks are going to lose their second-best scorer. Bogdanovic has been perhaps the best bench player in the NBA and is someone who is tough to replace. They are playing the Pistons so it might be ok, but Bogdanovic has been tremendous this season.

The Pistons offense is the worst in the NBA, but they are going against a defense that allows points to anyone. The lack of shooting and spacing is what hurts the Pistons the most, but getting Bojan Bogdanovic back is helpful to this offense.

Detroit is 28th in the NBA in PPG, 23rd in field-goal percentage, 30th in three-point percentage, 11th in offensive rebounding, and 29th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Detroit is 30th in points per 100 possessions, 28th in effective field goal percentage, 29th in turnover percentage, 19th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 18th in free throw rate. Cade Cunningham leads the Pistons with 21.4 PPG, 7.0 APG, and 3.8 RPG. He has been an inconsistent shooter this year and has a turnover problem from game to game.

If there is a defense that the Pistons could score against, it is the Hawks. Atlanta is 28th in PPG allowed, 29th in field goal percentage allowed, and 24th in three-point percentage. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 25th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 30th in effective field goal percentage. It has been a bad defense all year, but the Pistons struggle to shoot the ball. If Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart were playing, I would be worried about the Hawks's size disadvantage, but both of those players are out.

Injury report

Bogdanovic (right ankle inflammation), Capela (left knee soreness), and Hunter (right knee soreness) are all listed as questionable for tomorrow while Jalen Johnson, Kobe Bufkin, Mouhamed Gueye, and AJ Griffin (personal reasons) have all been ruled out.

Last night, Atlanta provided an injury update on Capela:

"Center Clint Capela, who missed last night’s game at Cleveland due to left knee soreness, underwent an MRI earlier today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex. He has been diagnosed with a left knee bone bruise. His status is day-to-day, and he is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game vs. Detroit."

For the Pistons, Duren, Stewart, and Monte Morris are out.

Viewing and Betting Information

Tip-off time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks will be favorites tonight, as they are currently 11-point favorites according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 245.5

Projected Starting Lineups

Hawks:

G- Trae Young

G- Dejounte Murray

F- De'Andre Hunter

F- Saddiq Bey

C- Clint Capela

If Capela is out, Onyeka Okongwu will get the start. If Hunter misses another game, Wesley Matthews could get the start, especially if Capela is also out. If Hunter is out and Capela is in, Okongwu could get another start at power forward.

Pistons:

G- Cade Cunningham

G- Killian Hayes

F- Ausar Thompson

F- Bojan Bogdanovic

C- Marvin Bagley II

Player to watch on the Hawks: Trae Young

Because of their record and the play of some other guards in the Eastern Conference, Young is not getting enough attention as to how well he is playing. I think he is going to score at least 30 tonight against the Pistons and if the Hawks are missing all three of Hunter, Capela, and Bogdanovic, he might need to.

Player to watch on the Pistons- Marvin Bagley

The Hawks defense is atrocious and they are at a size disadvantage in most games they play. With Duren and Stewart out, I think that is lessened, but Bagley can have a big day on the boards, despite his other deficiencies on the court. I think Detroit's best chance for a win is winning the battle on the boards and getting second-chance points.

Prediction

The Hawks have their fair share of issues, but there is no way I can predict the Pistons to win this game. This team could be historically awful and they seem to get worse with each game. I like Young to have a big day and get the Hawks a win.

Final Score: Hawks 136, Pistons 123

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