Atlanta Hawks(3-15) @ Detroit Pistons(10-8) December 10th, 8:00 pm The Palace of Auburn Hills Previous Game Hawks 89 @ Grizzles 97 Raptors 86 @ Pistons 90 Streaks Hawks: Lost 1 Pistons: Won 3 Head Coaches vs. Mike Woodson/ Larry Brown Probable Starters PG: vs. Kenny Anderson/Chauncey Billups SG: vs. Boris Diaw/Richard Hamilton SF: vs. Al Harrington/Tayshaun Prince PF: vs. Antonie Walker/ Rasheed Wallace C: vs. Jason Collier/ Ben Wallace 6th Men vs. Tony Delk/Carlos Delfino Players to Watch vs. Walker: 22.4 Points, 3.5 Assists, 8.80 Rebounds Billups: 16.8 Points, 6.6 Assists, 4.3 Rebounds game Notes This game also has new meaning as former Piston assistant Mike Woodson will face his former team for the first time this season. Mike Woodson and assistant coach Herb Brown (Larry Brown's brother) will be presented with their championship rings during a ceremony before the game. Injury Report Atlanta Hakws Chris Crawford Donta Smith Detroit Pistons Ronald Dupree Smush Parker Derrick Coleman Antonio Mcdyess (doubtful) Keys to the Game <u>Atlanta Hawks:</u> <ul> [*]Try not to get blown out. The Hawks should not be able to win this game. Detroit is a much better team and should be able to dominate from the get go. [*]Get good shots, Atlanta won't be able to match the Pistons on defense The Hawks need to get good shots and hit the mid-range shots [*]Rebound, The Pistons have a big frontcourt that can dominate the glass. The Hawks need to be able to grab defensive rebounds to prevent Detroit from getting extra possesions. [*]Play with intensity and don't ever give up. Ways for teams to stay in games is to play with heart, play as a team and play tough defense. Atlanta will need to do that and a whole lot more[/list] <u>Detroit Pistons:</u> <ul> [*]Get a good rotation going, get everyone involved and I'm sure It's likely we will see Darko again and If all goes to plan he should be able to log quite quite a few minutes. Antonio Mcdyess may not play again so guys like Delfino and Darko should get more minutes [*]Run the fastbreak, Detroit should look to try spreading the ball and running tonight. Atlanta is not a good team and Detroit should be able to get as many easy baskets as possible. Even if Detroit builds a lead, they need to keep playing so that Atlanta does not come back [*]Take the ball inside, Larry Brown likes It when the Pistons take the ball inside. Get the ball to Rasheed, Ben, Dice (depending on If he plays), and Elden and let them get some easy points. Also, Billups will need to penetrate and be able to generate fouls. [*]Get good production from Hamilton and Billups, most of the Pistons's offense relies on the guards. Billups and Hamilton need to play well and with intensity. They cannot relax and slack off during the game. [/list] Game Thoughts The Pistons are coming into this game on a 3 game winning streak, the latest win was a 90-86 win over the Raptors in overtime. Which was a poor 4th quarter performance and a game they could so easily of lost. Ben Wallace again was a big reason for the win, getting 15 points and 15 rebounds. The Hawks are currently 3-15 and are coming off a 97-89 loss to the Memphis Grizzles, the Hawks have struggled this season which is no real surprise to many, they are still in a rebuilding stage and for guys like Antonie Walker playing for the Hawks is one way to get paid when he becomes a free-agent next summer. It's clear that the Hawks only real threats are Al Harrington and Antonie Walker. If you shut down one of those guys you should expect a huge win. Games that the Hawks have won and competed in this year is when both Walker and Harrington both have outstanding games. Either way this should be an easy win for the Pistons, a game where Darko should at least register double fiqure minutes.
Why have a preview for this game. Atlanta is sorry I say pistons by 15+ only because after the 3rd quarter it will be just piston's reserves on the floor. Darko should get about 10 minutes this game. Joe D. said in practice he was domination EC.
i think there is no chance for atlanta in this gamr. they have been absolutely HORRIBLE this season and i don't see that changing tonight.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Miami's Finest:</div><div class="quote_post">Pistons by 10 Darko is gonna have a career high in minutes played.</div> i think Darko's career high in minutes is 14, so breaking that shouldn't be too hard
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting iamme:</div><div class="quote_post">i think Darko's career high in minutes is 14, so breaking that shouldn't be too hard </div> The funny thing is that it was against the Hornets this season. Now that I think about it, it's gonna be pretty tough to beat that record considering the Hawks are better than the Hornets. Best of luck to Darko!
Well that game was on the road, being at the palace there's no reason why he can't log 20 minutes. Considering LB is actually playing him some minutes in the 2nd quarter now, he should get some minutes. Delfino should be able to boost his stats as well.
I just hope he gets another sweet dunk! The one against the Heat made him famous, we need for everyone to forget that one and move on to the next!
According to this article, Rasheed is probable for tonight's game and didn't practise. Neither did Mcdyess. 30 minutes tonight for Darko? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">After getting in only one of the first eight games, playing two minutes, Milicic has played legitimate minutes at key moments the last handful of games. He's likely to do the same tonight when the Pistons play Atlanta at the Palace, because Rasheed Wallace is nursing a sore right hamstring and Antonio McDyess has a strained left calf. Wallace didn't practice Thursday and is probable for the Hawks game; McDyess didn't practice either and will have to sway coach Larry Brown in order to play tonight. That could mean another opportunity for Milicic to show he belongs in NBA games. He has had a hard time convincing Brown of that since the Pistons drafted him with the No. 2 pick in 2003, but he's making inroads. </div> Full Article
Yeah! Get Darko the triple double! I seriously am glad to see him play 10 minutes a night these days. He isn't looking all that bad. If only he got a few more shots and scored some points.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">According to this article, Rasheed is probable for tonight's game and didn't practise. Neither did Mcdyess. 30 minutes tonight for Darko? </div> Quite possibly a breakout game for Darko. If there's any chance for him to showcase his talent this could be the game.
Pistons blownout by the Hawks, It's so bad It's funny Every Piston player should be fined and suspended after this performance. Simply shocking.
This can't be happening! This is like being kicked in the balls, over and over. The pain just doesn't end. Put in Darko, let him play until the end of the game, get him some experience. It is a lost cause.... We always lose to the worst: Bobcats, and now probably the Hawks.
Yea! My boy Darko! This is where you take the loss, hang your head, and go back to the locker room. You just got killed, walk away.
You know it's gonna be a long night when you have a Hawks player hitting two half court buzzer beaters.
The Atlanta Hawks beat the defending NBA champions? When was the last time you could say that (seriously?) Josh Smith had 12 pts (career high) and 4 blocks (also a career high). Good for him, it was basically an all around effort for the Hawks...I bet Larry Brown had a mouthful for the Pistons in the lockerroom after the game, but really..everyone has their bad games..just not normally to the...Hawks...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post"> The Atlanta Hawks beat the defending NBA champions? When was the last time you could say that (seriously?) </div> Last year when the Spurs lost to Atlanta, might of also happened the year before as well. Hawks could not miss Mcdyess out Wallace out Rip Hamilton played his worse ever game Billups in foul trouble were all factors but they still shouldn't of got beat, period. I will say this though, I really like Josh Smith's game. He is a keeper, the hawks must hold onto him.
Alright I wasnt sure if they beat the Spurs or not, yea I agree this was the perfect time for the Hawks to beat the Pistons, they were very vulnerable, and the Hawks took advantage of it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Last year when the Spurs lost to Atlanta, might of also happened the year before as well. Hawks could not miss Mcdyess out Wallace out Rip Hamilton played his worse ever game Billups in foul trouble were all factors but they still shouldn't of got beat, period. I will say this though, I really like Josh Smith's game. He is a keeper, the hawks must hold onto him.</div> also, Delfino got hurt and didn't play in the 2nd half.
