The Detroit Pistons sent a loud reminder to the rest of the Eastern Conference on Friday night, flattening the Atlanta Hawks 142-115 to tighten their grip on the top spot.
Fresh off missing the NBA Cup knockout rounds, Detroit clearly had something to prove — and Atlanta paid the price. The Pistons posted their highest points total and biggest winning margin of the season, improving to an imposing 20-5.
After a cagey opening quarter that saw the lead change hands 13 times, Detroit hit the accelerator and never looked back. Cade Cunningham set the tone without forcing the issue, as the Pistons showcased ruthless balance — eight players finished in double figures, yet none needed to reach 20.
The real damage came from the bench. Detroit’s reserves
poured in more than half the team’s total, led by Isaiah Stewart’s 17, turning the game into a one-sided affair long before the final buzzer.
Atlanta, still without injured star Trae Young, had few answers. Jalen Johnson did everything he could, pouring in 19 points while adding 11 assists and 11 rebounds. The performance gave Johnson his fifth triple-double of the season — a Hawks franchise record — and the seventh of his career, tying another team mark.
But even history couldn’t save the Hawks. Detroit’s relentless pace and depth overwhelmed Atlanta, who have now dropped four of their last five games.
The win completed a season sweep for the Pistons, who are now 3-0 against the Hawks this campaign — and looking increasingly comfortable at the top of the East.
Elsewhere in the NBA
The Chicago Bulls snapped a seven-game skid with a narrow win over Charlotte, Donovan Mitchell exploded for 48 to lift Cleveland, and Stephen Curry’s 39-point return wasn’t enough as Golden State fell to Minnesota.
Detroit may have missed the Cup — but right now, they look like contenders for much more.
(with AFP inputs)
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