NBA: Trae Young, Hawks hand Pistons another loss
FILE – Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after a three-point basket against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on March 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP
Trae Young bounced back from his second-worst scoring night of the season to score 30 points and lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 129-107 win over the visiting Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Young, who put up only nine points in Sunday’s 126-118 loss at San Antonio, added 12 assists for his 35th double-double and 24th 30-point game of the season.
Article continues after this advertisementThe win gives Atlanta (36-36) a four-game season sweep over Detroit and pulled the Hawks back to the .500 mark. The Hawks remain eighth in the Eastern Conference, 2 1/2 games behind Miami and one game ahead of Toronto.
Trae Young dropped 30 PTS and 12 AST in the Hawks win 👀 pic.twitter.com/MQbstOyg0p
— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2023
Bogdan Bogdanovic started at guard in place of Dejounte Murray (non-COVID illness) and scored 18 points, hitting four of his nine 3-point shots. John Collins added 15 points and eight rebounds, and Clint Capela had 12 points and 16 rebounds. Atlanta has won two of its last three.
Article continues after this advertisementDetroit (16-57) was led by Marvin Bagley III with a season-high 31 points, including a career-high four 3-pointers. The Pistons also got 21 points from Killian Hayes and 17 from Jaden Ivey. The Pistons have lost four straight and 15 of their last 16.
Atlanta led 38-32 after the first quarter and stretched the advantage to nine on a basket by Onyeka Okongwu with 8:42 left in the second. But the Pistons went on a 15-6 run and tied the game three minutes later. The Hawks led 66-59 at halftime behind Young’s 15 points. Bagley and Hayes each scored 17 in the first half.
The Hawks outscored the Pistons 18-2 to start the third quarter and open a 23-point lead, 84-61. Atlanta outscored the Pistons 33-19 in the quarter and led 99-78 entering the fourth.
Atlanta also played without reserve Jalen Johnson, who missed his third game with a left hamstring and groin sprain. The Pistons were without Jalen Duren (cervical whiplash) and Isaiah Livers (right hip soreness).
The Hawks complete a back-to-back on Wednesday with a visit to Minnesota. Detroit plays against Friday at Toronto.
