Drummond scores 23 as Detroit Pistons demolish Hawks 124-109

After dropping 40 points in the opening quarter, the Detroit Pistons were able to dispose of the Atlanta Hawks, 124-109, with ease on Friday. Andre Drummond scored 23 points while adding 11 rebounds and four blocks.

For only the second time this season, the Detroit Pistons had a lead at the end of the first quarter. And that’s when they put the game out of reach.

Thanks to a 40-20 advantage after the opening period, the Pistons (6-5) cruised to a 124-109 victory over the Atlanta Hawks (3-9) at State Farm Arena on Friday night. Andre Drummond finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Detroit came out firing on all cylinders. Reggie Jackson (10 points, three assists) nailed a left-corner triple to open the scoring. Drummond then added a layup, which was followed by a Reggie Bullock (13 points, four assists) 3-pointer on the ensuing possession.

Three consecutive field goals to start the game.

A Glenn Robinson III  (12 points) alley-oop tap in, which gave the Pistons a 14-5 lead, prompted an Atlanta timeout at the 8:45 mark of the first quarter. From that point on, Detroit pulled farther and farther away from the Hawks.

The Pistons shot 58 percent from the floor in the first 12 minutes, and scored a season-high 40 points in the quarter. They were quicker, stronger, and matched the intensity of a Hawks’ team that entered the night second in terms of pace.

Detroit took advantage the Hawks’ defensive ineptitude, by moving without the ball and passing quickly out of double teams. Blake Griffin played the role of facilitator, as he ran the break several times and dished out nine assists.

Jeremy Lin led the way for Atlanta with 19 points, although most of that came in garbage time. Rookie point guard Trae Young was a non-factor, managing just 16 points while committing six turnovers in 23 minutes.

In the end, seven Pistons finished in double figures. Stanley Johnson had his best game of the season, posting 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting (4-of-9 from deep) while adding seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

Detroit scored 74 points in the first half alone, the most in any half for the Pistons since 1996-97. They’ll return home to host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Detroit.