The Atlanta Hawks achieved an impressive comeback victory against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, winning 123-115. The Hawks lost much of the game, reaching 17 in the fourth period, but managed to recover at the end of the game and win in overtime.
The Hawks were more than short of players in this game, playing without De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish. Danilo Gallinari, Bodgan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn were also left out.
John Collins came out shooting for Atlanta, scoring 12 points on 6 of 9 from the ground in the first quarter.
The Pistons led 31-29 in the second quarter, with Clint Capela also on the field.
Atlanta, however, struggled hard in the second period, scoring 21-16 in the quarter, losing to 52-45 in the interval. A final 10-0 run by the Pistons left them ahead at the break.
Trae Young was cold again on the field, going 2 out of 11 on the ground. He also kicked 1 of 5 from the free throw line in the first half.
Capela was the brightest spot for Atlanta in the first two quarters, ensuring another double-double well before the break. He had 14 points and 15 rebounds at halftime.
Jerami Grant paved the way for Detroit, scoring 15 points and four rebounds and three assists in the first half.
Detroit came out of the locker room with an 11-4 run, giving them a 14 point lead early in the third quarter.
Young finally came to life in the third, scoring 21 points in the fourth and bringing the Hawks back into three at the end of the period.
However, the Pistons would immediately go for an 11-0 run to take the score back to 92-78 going into the fourth.
The Hawks were unable to mount much of a rally early in the fourth, as they lost 99-87 with 5:26 to play. Atlanta continued to fight, however, when Kevin Huerter’s three made a ten point game with 4:12 remaining.
Young hit a layup to reduce to 101-94 in favor of Detroit with 3:14 to play, then another to make a five point game at the 2:33 mark in the fourth, putting him over 30 points for the competition .
Capela went to the free throw line with 1:40 to play and the Hawks losing by 103-98, but only managed to make one and cut the gap to four.
After a stop, Collins was fouled going to the edge in a Young lob and had a chance to make a game of possession with 1:15 left. He would do both, making the game two points.
Blake Griffin hit a basket from the top and bottom wild, however, in Detroit’s next possessions, making it a five-point game with about a minute left. After a few empty trips from the Pistons, the Hawks lost again by just two with 33.8 to play.
Young found Capela cutting into the basket for a dunk to tie the game at 106 with 5.4 remaining.
Collins blocked Grant on his way to the edge to send the game into overtime with possession of the ball that could be the winner of the Detroit game.
After a pair of 5-0 on each side, the teams were tied at 111-111 with 2:12 to play in overtime.
Huerter found Chapel for a layup and one with 1:27 left, giving the Hawks a 116-113 lead with 1:27 left. Young hit a three to place the Hawks in six to one minute from the end, sealing the return win.
Young led with 38 (32 in the second half + OT) and 10 assists, while Capela had 27 points, 26 rebounds (12 offensive) and five blocks. Collins also double-double, scoring 31 points and 11 rebounds. Huerter had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Grant ended with 32 points in the loss to Detroit, with Griffin adding 17 points.
Atlanta will now travel to Minnesota to play against the Timberwolves for the second time this week on Friday night.