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Atlanta Hawks Drop Season Opener, 106-94 to Pistons

By John Buhler

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The Atlanta Hawks struggled with the Detroit Pistons for much of the game, never really getting into much of a rhythm, falling 106-94 in the season opener.

The Atlanta Hawks will not go 82-0 in 2015-16, as Atlanta lose their season opener at home to the Detroit Pistons, 106-94 Tuesday night. Since Stan Van Gundy took over the Detroit Pistons last season, Atlanta has struggled with the Pistons both on the glass and out on the perimeter defensively. It was no different Tuesday evening.

-= Related: Atlanta Hawks Season Preview =-

Detroit out rebounded Atlanta 59-40, with Pistons C André Drummond grabbing 19 boards himself. The Pistons shot 41.4% (12-29) from three-point land to the Atlanta Hawks’ 29.6% (8-27). These two areas, along with Detroit getting to the line more often, were the difference in this game.

I wouldn’t say that it was a lack of effort on the Atlanta Hawks’ behalf because the team battled all game, but something seemed very off with this team tonight. The heavy ball movement on offense wasn’t there for most of the game. Atlanta’s offense sputtered in the second and third quarters, being outscored by Detroit, 57-41 in the middle periods.

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Four Atlanta Hawks were in double figures in points tonight. Dennis Schroder had 20 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Paul Millsap had 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Jeff Teague had 18 points and 4 assists. Al Horford had 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

I’d also like to add that Thabo Sefolosha had a terrific game defensively in his first game back since the New York Police Department fiasco back in April. Thabo had 4 steals, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in his return to the red, black, and volt green.

Lamar Patterson made his NBA debut tonight and led the Atlanta Hawks in plus/minus with +10. He had 5 points and 2 assists in his 18 plus minutes of playing time. Tiago Splitter made his Atlanta Hawks debut with 4 points and 4 rebounds in 16 plus minutes.

Overall, the Atlanta Hawks came out flat in their home opener. The offense wasn’t free-flowing and the defensive intensity out on the perimeter wasn’t there. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a field day from the outside, shooting 4-7 from three to help him get a game-high 21 points.

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I’m not mad about getting dominated on the glass against a player like André Drummond. It happens. However, losing horribly on the offensive glass 23-7 does not bode well for the Atlanta Hawks in future games with the Detroit Pistons. I’ll let this one slide since Detroit has not been a good matchup for the Atlanta Hawks in the SVG Era in Motown.

The Atlanta Hawks will play their next game on Thursday Night at Madison Square Garden. Atlanta hopes to get back in the win column with their 8 PM ET tipoff against the New York Knicks on TNT.

Next: Atlanta Hawks Host Detroit Pistons in Season Opener

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