ATLANTA — Cade Cunningham delivered an impressive performance with 29 points and 11 assists, propelling the Detroit Pistons to a 114-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday evening. This win marked the Pistons’ seventh triumph in their last eight games away from home.
Supporting Cunningham, Malik Beasley came off the bench to score 19 points while Ausar Thompson added 16 points to the scoreboard for Detroit. The Hawks had Dyson Daniels leading their efforts with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Trae Young accounted for 13 points alongside nine assists. Jalen Johnson also contributed significantly with 17 points and nine rebounds.
However, the Hawks struggled mightily from three-point territory, managing to shoot a dismal 16% — the lowest of the season — by converting only 6 of 38 attempts. The Pistons established a commanding edge by halftime, leading 69-51, which stands as their most significant halftime lead this season.
In terms of standings, the Pistons have performed well recently, achieving a record of 12-4 over their last 16 matches. This victory allowed them to surpass the Hawks, moving into sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Their objective remains clear; they are aiming to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
On the other hand, the Hawks have faced challenges, playing their few second home game in a span of 25 days, and it appeared to affect their performance. Their lack of accurate shooting from beyond the arc inhibited any potential attempts to challenge the Pistons in the latter part of the game. Six Hawks players who average at least 10 points per game — including Young, Daniels, Johnson, De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Onyeka Okongwu — collectively shot a discouraging 1 for 29 from three-point range.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred when the Pistons executed a 14-2 run late in the second half. This surge extended their lead from 10 to 22 points, effectively rendering the Hawks unable to cut the deficit below 10 until the closing moments of the game.
A notable statistic from the game is Bogdanovic, who struggled throughout, finishing 0 for 9 from the field, making it 14 consecutive missed shots spanning more than three games. He has only made 4 out of 29 attempts from three-point range in his last five outings, currently holding a career-low shooting percentage of 30.3% from beyond the arc this season.
Looking ahead, the Hawks are set to continue their three-game homestand with a matchup against the Raptors on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Pistons will travel to face the Magic on Saturday night, marking the third game in a challenging five-game road journey.
