Pistons vs. Hawks preview: Detroit looks to surprise scuffling Atlanta

The Detroit Pistons have lost 23 consecutive games. That’s bad. They are looking to win precisely one game tonight. That would be good. Their opponent is the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks are clearly the superior team, but they are struggling lately after a hot start. The Hawks have won just four if their past 11 games, including six of its past seven contests. The only victory came against the 10-15 Toronto Raptors. Despite being at home for the Hawks, the game falls in the midst of a grueling road grind for Atlanta. This will be just its third home contest since Nov. 25, and they will be back out on the road Wednesday and FRiday to play the Rockets and Heat, respectively.

Game Vitals

When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Watch: Bally Sports Detroit
Odds: Pistons +11

Analysis

I am tempted to use the phrase “insult to injury” to describe the Pistons’ current depth for tonight’s game, but that feels like it does not do justice to just how insulting this 23-game losing streak is. The Pistons have played horrifically, and a full roster would do little to even give them a chance. They got annihilated 146-114 in Milwaukee on Saturday, and it feels like if relegation was truly on the table, the NBA might have pulled the trigger.

The Pistons were without Isaiah Stewart against the Bucks, who was out with a sprained right shoulder. I wouldn’t anticipate him being available against Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu either. That means the Pistons will need to ride Marvin Bagley and James Wiseman for as far as they will take them.

Atlanta also has some other intriguing names, namely former Piston Saddiq Bey. The wing has settled in nicely in a more marginal role in Atlanta off the bench. He has a career-high 58.5 true shooting percentage. On the one hand, the Pistons could certainly use that. On the other, even capable shooters miss in Detroit, and Bey doesn’t offer much else. I’m just happy that he’s happy.