If it weren’t for the Pistons’ lackluster bench play, the final score would have been much worse.
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The Detroit Pistons exercised the team options on the contracts of guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and forward Reggie Bullock, while requesting waivers on guard Ryan Boatright.
October 23, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, United States of America; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) makes a dunk over Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
“We’re a team where ball movement and knowing guys’ tendencies, teammates’ tendencies, is such a huge part of what we do”, Sefolosha said.
The Pistons rolled into Atlanta and ran away with a 106-94 victory against the Hawks, a team that won 60 games and reached the Eastern Conference finals last season. The Hawks were not immune to poor showings a year ago, and they will not be this season. “The key for us is to be able to lock down on defense”.
Millsap and Teague both scored 10 points in the first half for the Hawks, who were just 2-for-7 on 3-pointers after excelling from behind the arc last season. Dennis Schroder had 20 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.
“That’s one of our challenges, that’s one of the things we’ve talked about”, Korver said. Because season previews can get bogged down by team-specific minutiae, and we cover every basketball team, we’re providing our readers reasons why you should care about all 30 teams in the Association. Atlanta’s defensive rotations were off. When their ball movement stalled, or when outside shots were not falling, the Hawks’ offense looked disjointed at times.
The Hawks climbed within 96-88 with two minutes remaining but could get no closer.
Detroit regained the lead on a three-pointer by Caldwell-Pope with about three minutes left in the second quarter and used a closing 14-4 run for a 48-43 lead at halftime.
“We didn’t execute very well”.
But Van Gundy’s been open all offseason about inheriting a roster that didn’t fit his system. “(Morris) got off to a good start and he got us going. “They just didn’t have it tonight”.
The Detroit Pistons are not even a lock for the playoffs but they could be the dark horse in the East.
Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr. was a surprise scratch for the Hawks, who gave up a first-round pick to acquire him from New York.
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Bazemore knows he’s got a few big shoes to fill.
