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The Atlanta Hawks will get their third crack at the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Atlanta, which hasn’t beaten Detroit, looks to finally break through even without Trae Young (knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness). Hawks coach Quin Snyder will lean more on Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu against the team sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Meanwhile, the Pistons are unbeaten against the Hawks, but they can’t overlook their injury-hobbled opponents. The last time the Pistons hosted the Hawks early this month, they needed Cade Cunningham’s heroics to pull off a 99-98 win. Cunningham and Co. have to be at their best to win the season series against the Hawks.
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Atlanta Hawks vs Detroit Pistons Preview, Predicted Starting Lineups, Betting Tips and Prediction
Moneyline: Hawks (+230) vs. Pistons (-270)
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Odds: Hawks (+7.5 -115) vs. Pistons (-7.5 -105)
Total (O/U): Hawks (o233.5 -110) vs. Pistons (u233.5 -110)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game
Atlanta Hawks vs Detroit Pistons preview
The Hawks could have arguably been 2-0 against the Pistons if not for two areas: fastbreak points and points in the paint. Atlanta lost the former 38-19 and the latter 124-92. The Hawks must hustle back on defense to prevent the Pistons from dominating plays off the breaks. Atlanta’s inside defense can’t allow Detroit’s relentless rim attack to be yet another reason for a loss.
Stopping Cade Cunningham will be crucial for the Hawks. The All-Star scored his team's final eight points in the Pistons’ 99-98 win in Detroit early this month. Atlanta could lose the series if Cunningham has another big game.
For the Pistons, turnovers will be their No. 1 concern. They had 23 in the last matchup against the Hawks, errors that nearly cost them the game.
Detroit must continue attacking the paint and pushing the ball after every defensive rebound. The Pistons will be tough to beat if they keep doing that.
Atlanta Hawks vs Detroit Pistons predicted starting lineups
Hawks
PG: Nickeil Alexander-Walker | SG: Dyson Daniels | SF: Zaccharie Risacher | PF: Jalen Johnson | C: Onyeka Okongwu
Pistons
PG: Cade Cunningham | SG: Ausar Thompson | SF: Duncan Robinson | C: Isaiah Stewart | C: Jalen Duren
Atlanta Hawks vs Detroit Pistons Betting Tips
Cade Cunningham relishes playing against the Hawks. The high-scoring guard is averaging 28.0 points in his last five games against them. Cunningham likely eases past his 26.5 (O/U) points prop.
Jalen Johnson has been stuffing the stat sheet, particularly this month. The versatile forward is averaging 26.7 points, 14.3 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game in December.
Expect Johnson to blow past his 43.5 (O/U) combined points, rebounds and assists props.
Atlanta Hawks vs Detroit Pistons Prediction
The Detroit Pistons, after nearly allowing an upset on their home floor early this month, know they can’t be complacent against the Atlanta Hawks. Detroit’s Jalen Duren-Cade Cunningham pick-and-roll attack has also been a problem that Atlanta has had trouble solving. The home team likely rolls to another win, but the visitors could cover the +7.5 spread.
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Edited by Michael Macasero
English (US)