DET at ATL 2:00 pm

[Supporter]

Preview

Pistons-Hawks Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN

Posted Mar 19 2011 4:26PM

The Atlanta Hawks are all but assured of a playoff spot. Their recent effort, though, hardly resembles that of a postseason-caliber club.

The Hawks will try to avoid a seventh loss in nine games as they close their season series with the visiting Detroit Pistons on Sunday.

Atlanta (39-30) sits comfortably in fifth place in the East and is likely to make a fourth consecutive playoff appearance thanks to winning 33 of its first 51 games.

Since Feb. 8, though, the Hawks have lost 12 of 18 while averaging 89.3 points - a league low over that span.

Coach Larry Drew's team has been blown out at home in its last two games - against Denver and Miami - and was held below 90 points in both, falling to 2-16 when that happens. The Hawks have shot 42.9 percent from the field in those two defeats and 8 of 31 from 3-point range (25.8 percent).

"We just took some ill-advised jump shots once again," Drew said after Friday's 106-85 loss to the Heat. "We've talked about it before the game, we talked about it at halftime. This is a team that has to be a little bit more selective particularly when they're not making shots.

"You have to get the ball moving from one side of the floor to the other, you have to drive it, and then you take the open one at that point. You just cant go out seeking the three."

Joe Johnson, averaging a team-best 18.8 points, was held to nine against Miami.

Johnson has recorded 12 points or less in four of his last six games while Josh Smith, scoring 16.4 per game, has averaged 11.5 points on 28.6 percent shooting in his last two.

"I think all teams go through struggling times," Drew said. "It's not one of those things where you start feeling sorry for yourselves. ... You just go out as a team and you roll your sleeves up and you just keep battling and keep battling until you break through this little rut."

Smith could help in doing just that, as he has averaged 25.0 points and 9.6 rebounds in three matchups with Detroit this season - leading Atlanta to two victories.

The Hawks' current 2-6 slump overall includes five home losses, but the Pistons have lost six straight on the road and five in a row in Atlanta while averaging just 86.0 points.

Detroit (25-44), though, is averaging 103.0 points on 49.7 percent shooting in its last two games, including a 99-95 win over New York on Friday night.

The Pistons overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to record back-to-back victories for the first time since Feb. 4-5.

Reserve Charlie Villanueva scored 11 of his 14 points over the final 12 minutes.

"We've been communicating with our guys telling them all the time that you have to be ready," coach John Kuester said. "What happened was our guys responded and did a great job."

Villanueva scored 16 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 103-80 win over Atlanta on Dec. 14.

Richard Hamilton had 24 points in that victory, but his status for this matchup is unknown after he missed Friday's game due to the death of his grandfather. Hamilton is averaging 19.8 points in his last four games.

[MVP23]

Hopefully the Pistons take it easy on us and don't embarrasse us at home.

[WraithSentinel]

Can't imagine many people will be there. Probably be a ghost town at Philips.

[Supporter]

Can't imagine many people will be there. Probably be a ghost town at Philips.

2:00 game on a sunday, oh boy. Hopefully that's better as the players usually play better when nobody expects anything out of them.

[ATLNY7]

If the hawks don't beat this team, then there's nothing more I can say.

[APE]

Anyone remember when we'd be scared to death of Stuckey? That was a few weeks ago.

[GABALLA]

I have a good feeling drew is on the chopping block. If they lose this game he could be out of here as soon as next week.

[Admin]

I have a good feeling drew is on the chopping block. If they lose this game he could be out of here as soon as next week.

They're not going to fire Drew during the season and frankly I'm glad that they won't because I don't see anyone on the bench being able to make us any better than Drew.

I'd give just about anything to hire Butler's coach right now!

[APE]

Jamal turns 31 today.

[Bawse]

I don't even wanna watch this game because it's so close to embarrassment if we lose. Deuces, i'm headed to the mall

[High5]

I'm thinking I'll watch this game on fast-forward. I have no desire to sit through a game against Detroit after the terrible basketball we have witnessed lately.

[MVP23]

I wouldn't go to this game if someone gave me front row tickets. The Hawks have to earn my attention/care back. If they don't care, neither will I.

[Dexmethylphenidate]

Teague with zero minutes on a team with 1 PG. :Nail Biting:

[Popeye]

Jamal at point...... WTF

[Supporter]

Going up the rankings one game at a time. 8)

[MVP23]

We're be breathing down the Bulls Heat and Celtics necks in no time..

[CWebb]

It's kinda strange to see all this negative comments. Ok we haven't done anything to really be happy. But come fans cheer.

Hawks won !!

[Bawse]

We barely won this game against a bad team. Yay!!! Let's cheer!!!

Edited March 20, 2011 by Boss

[CWebb]

This is what I was talking about...Yeah man, this team sucks so much. Joe's no superstar. Josh is so dumb. Al is not a man inside. Kirk is no better than Bibby. Jamal shouldn t play point guard. Drew has no clue...

Pff we all know the song...

By the way, Hawks won. .. !

Is there any fan out there lol?

[TheTruth]

This whole "fan" thing is retarded. Nowhere in the characterization of a fan lies a prerequisite for blind support and optimism for the team. Fans SHOULD be able to criticize the object of their fandom.

Fact is, Hawks aren't playing good basketball...and haven't for quite some time. Maybe when they do, you won't have to be subjected to so many (mostly true, from the sane ones that is) evaluations of the Hawks team.