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Preview and Game Thread #5: Detroit Pistons vs Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks 10-11 Season Game #5

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Atlanta-hawks_medium

0-4 4-0
Phillips Arena
November 3rd, 2010, 7:00 PM
Sports South, 99X FM, Pre and Post Game Show 680 The Fan, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Rodney Stuckey PG Mike Bibby
Ben Gordon SG Joe Johnson
Tayshaun Prince SF Marvin Williams
Austin Daye PF Josh Smith
Ben Wallace C Al Horford


Hawks Injuries: Mo Evans (knee) Pape Sy (back) are both out

Pistons Injuries: Richard Hamilton (foot), Tracy McGrady (knee) are questionable Will Bynum (hamstring), Chris Wilcox (hamstring), Jonas Jerebko (Achillies tendon), and Terrico White (foot) are out.

SB Nation Pistons Blog: Detroit Bad Boys

Game Preview

Both teams are coming in having played last night. The Pistons were beaten by the Celtics in Boston 109-86 to fall to 0-4 on the season. The Hawks won their fourth straight game by defeating the Cavaliers 100-88. It appears that the Pistons come into the game not as a solid unit. After last night's loss coach John Kuester made some poignant comments about leadership that was directed at his veterans and Tayshun Prince fired back. Then late last night Charlie Villanueva took to twitter to voice his displeasure with Celtics forward Kevin Garnett. Thus the Pistons come to Atlanta with a lot of drama going on around the team.

Keys to the Game

Something about this game just feels like a trap game. The odds are certainly against the Pistons as they are beat up and may be without Rip Hamilton and Will Bynum tonight. The Hawks desperately need to set the tone early tonight. The key will be not to let the Pistons hang around and start to think they can steal a victory. If the Hawks bring the intensity from the outset then the Pistons shouldn't be a match for this team particularly at Phillips Arena.