Detrimental third quarter against Atlanta sets up Detroit for fifth straight loss

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Younger had 26 factors and 13 assists, Dejounte Murray added 26 factors, and the Atlanta Hawks used a dominant third quarter to beat the struggling Detroit Pistons 130-105 on Friday night time.

Bogdan Bogdanovic completed with 19 factors, and Clint Capela, returning after lacking the final three video games with a proper calf pressure, completed with 10 rebounds and 10 factors for the Hawks, who’ve received three of 4 to enhance to 17-16. They started the night time ninth within the Jap Convention and are 11-6 at residence.

“We had been nonetheless contesting and making it robust on them, however they’re professionals they usually stored making performs,” Younger stated. “We simply stored preventing and taking part in laborious, and we ended up stretching out the lead in that third quarter and serving to us get this win.”

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 for the NBA-worst Pistons, who’ve misplaced 5 straight.

Atlanta went on a 17-3 run over a four-minute stretch of the third quarter to take its first double-digit lead at 79-69 on Murray’s runner within the lane. Detroit by no means threatened the remainder of the best way.

The Pistons had been outscored 35-18 within the third. Early within the fourth, Bogdan Bogdanovic hit a 3 on a quick break, Onyeka Okongwu adopted with a turnaround jumper on the best baseline and Bogdanovic knocked down a right-wing 3 to push the result in 105-81. Atlanta completed a 21-2 run over a six-minute stretch of the third and the fourth on Griffin’s fast-break dunk.

“I feel general we performed a terrific first half,” stated Detroit guard Killian Hayes, who completed with 17 factors. “We had just a few turnovers, and the ball was shifting, however the first half wasn’t the problem. I feel the third quarter, once they made that run, it was robust to return again from that after which the sport was just about finished from there.”

Younger, who didn’t play within the last interval, ended a three-game streak during which he scored no less than 30 factors. He related on a season-high seven 3s on Wednesday in a 110-108 loss to Chicago, and he scored 15 factors within the third towards Detroit.

The Pistons shot 27.3% on 3s, the thirteenth time Atlanta has held an opponent to worse than 30% past the arc. The Hawks got here into the sport tied for the league lead in that statistic.

The Hawks went up for the primary time within the second half on John Collins’ fast-break dunk early within the third they usually didn’t path once more. Younger hit a straightaway 3 and De’Andre Hunter knocked down a left-wing 3 to cap a 13-0 run for a 75-66 lead, and the Pistons referred to as timeout.

“Within the NBA, anyone might be crushed on any given night time, so it simply reveals that we wished it,” Murray stated. “We executed, we took care of the ball, we performed collectively and we received a terrific recreation.”

Detroit’s greatest lead was eight within the first half, and the Pistons led 63-60 at intermission.

“Our third quarters we’re persevering with to attempt to give a chance to the younger guys to return out within the second half,” Detroit coach Dwane Casey stated. “It’s evident we’re not popping out with the best method, however once more we’re right here to develop these guys however to not the detriment of shedding our spirit, shedding our togetherness and shedding the video games the best way we’re shedding them.”

TIP-INS

Pistons: F Isaiah Livers stayed in Detroit with a proper shoulder sprain, however Casey stated he ought to rejoin the crew subsequent week. Livers has missed 11 straight video games. … Detroit started the sport main the NBA with 48.2 bench factors since Dec. 1 however had its reserves outscored 51-30.

Hawks: Hunter twisted his left ankle within the second quarter however stayed within the recreation and completed with 9 factors in 27 minutes. … Bogdanovic started the sport as the one participant since Dec. 9 to hit no less than 28 3s whereas capturing no less than 50% past the arc, however he went 3 for 11 towards Detroit.

UP NEXT

Pistons: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

Hawks: At Indiana on Tuesday.