The Detroit Pistons' seven-game winning streak was snapped by the Atlanta Hawks, which is fitting considering both franchises are basking in the afterglow of the Josh Smith effect. The Hawks are the best team in the East a year after letting Smith go, and the Pistons caught fire once they waived the mercurial forward. Typically a game between an elite squad and non-playoff contender would not draw a lot of attention, but two of the league's hottest teams were facing each other. The match up didn't disappoint, as the result was decided in the final seconds after a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Pistons.
The Hawks and Pistons are finding success after Josh Smith
The game that pitted the two hottest teams in the league against each other had a bizarre and entertaining ending that shows how much better the Eastern conference is this season.
The Hawks started the game showing everyone why they are one of the best teams in the league right now. The execution on offense was pinpoint, their defense was stellar and their depth was in full display, with eight players finishing the half with five points or more. Al Horford and Paul Millsap were outplaying Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe and if not for a good stretch by Anthony Tolliver at the end of the second quarter, the lead could have been more than the 19 points the Hawks were ahead at the break.
“We were just walking around. We didn’t play hard on defense. I was disappointed in our lack of energy,” Stan Van Gundy told Detroit News after the game. “Playing the way we were, we just looked flat and I don’t have an explanation for it.”
Atlanta had a Spurs-like half, tallying 17 assists on 24 makes and dropping eight three-pointers on the hapless Pistons. The Hawks, who at times this season had relied on the outside shot too heavily and haven't been able to protect the rim, outscored the Pistons in the paint. It was a masterful performance. Almost too good, according to DeMarre Carroll:
“We got the win but at the same time we’ve got a lot to work on. I think we got too comfortable. We were up by 20. Everything was kind of easy. Then we got complacent and started settling for shots instead of playing Hawks basketball.”
After the break the Pistons started to chip away at the lead. The three-pointers were falling for Detroit, with Brandon Jennings and Kyle Singler combining for five in the third quarter to the Hawks' zero. Al Horford's work inside kept the Pistons at bay and the Hawks looked on their way to another easy win, heading into the final period up 15 and enjoying a double-digit lead for most of the fourth quarter. When Kyle Korver hit this shot, it felt like the final nail in the Pistons' coffin:
Then Kentavious Caldwell-Pope happened.
Caldwell-Pope -- who had gone 4-for-16 leading up to his explosion, including 1-for-10 from outside -- scored 13 points in the last four minutes and 26 seconds of the game. He was everywhere and scored in every possible way: Mid-range spot ups, three-point pull ups, breakaway dunks, spot-up threes in which he was fouled -- it was one of the most bizarre, thrilling performance by a random player this season.
Caldwell-Pope shot a total of 16 three-pointers and helped the Pistons, who are truly becoming a Stan Van Gundy team, attempt 43 three-pointers on the night, a new franchise record.
Ultimately, the comeback attempt felt short but the Pistons proved once again they are one of the most fun teams to watch since dealing Smith. The Hawks, for their part, won their seventh straight and have emerged victorious on 21 of their last 23. At this point, they should be considered the favorite to come out of the East, as their play has been phenomenal. According to what Paul Millsap said after the game, the team is still hungry: “It’s amazing. I think you can tell by the locker room, guys are not satisfied. Guys are still hungry. Guys still want to win. Hopefully, this is another day at the office and we got out Sunday and do it again.”
Last season, the Heat sleepwalked for most of the season while the Pacers ground out wins with defense before imploding. The East was decidedly boring and predictable. The Bulls didn't have Derrick Rose, the Wizards were still maturing and the Raptors were not ready for prime time yet. This season, five teams all have a chance of making the finals and random games in January are entertaining to watch. Thanks to teams like the Hawks and the new Pistons, the East is as fun as it's been in years and the league is much better for it.
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