DETROIT PISTONS RALLY TO DEFEAT ATLANTA HAWKS 114-104 ON JANUARY 22, 2025
The Detroit Pistons continued their push for the playoffs with a convincing 114-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 22, 2025. The win marks the Pistons' seventh triumph in their last eight road games, showcasing their growing ability to clinch important victories away from home.
Cade Cunningham was the standout performer for Detroit, scoring 29 points and dishing out 11 assists, his stellar play leading the charge against the Hawks. Malik Beasley contributed significantly off the bench with 19 points, and Ausar Thompson added 16 to bolster the Pistons’ offensive efforts. This victory allowed Detroit to surpass Atlanta, establishing their position at sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Hawks struggled for rhythm throughout the game and faced disappointing challenges, particularly on the offensive end. Dyson Daniels led the Hawks with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but the team's overall performance was marred by poor shooting—specifically from beyond the arc—where they managed to connect on only six of 38 attempts, representing a dismal 16% shooting percentage. Trae Young, normally a potent force for Atlanta, managed only 13 points and nine assists, not enough to spark any significant resistance.
The Pistons established dominance early, leading 69-51 at halftime, their largest halftime lead of the season. This confidence was exemplified late in the game when Detroit executed a 14-2 run, extending their lead from 10 to 22 points, effectively sealing the win. The Hawks failed to make any substantial comeback, only clawing the deficit down to single digits in the closing moments.
Atlanta’s performance this night underscored systemic issues, as the team featured six players averaging at least 10 points per game collectively shooting just 1-for-29 from three-point range—an abysmal mark by any standard. Among these players, Bogdan Bogdanovic suffered a particularly troubling night, finishing 0 for 9 from the field and unable to break out of his shooting slump, which has now seen him shooting at just 30.3% from beyond the arc this season.
The Hawks played their second home game of just two within 25 days, with the fatigue from such scheduling potentially affecting their play. They remain home for two more games, including matchups against the Toronto Raptors, where they will seek to regain their footing and avoid consecutive losses.
Conversely, the Pistons can take great confidence from this win as they prepare for additional road games, with their next matchup against the Orlando Magic looming as they strive for playoff contention—a pursuit they haven’t seen since 2019. This victory is significant not just for the immediate standings but also for the morale of the squad as they approach the final stretches of the season.
After closing this game out, both teams will be eager to adjust for their next contests, with Detroit demonstrating capability and resilience, whilst Atlanta seeks to rectify their recent misfires. The battle for playoff placements remains intensely competitive, and every game counts as the end of the regular season draws near. League fans will undoubtedly keep close watch on how these teams battle through the next matchups.