Detroit Pistons Look to Knock Off John Collins, Hawks in Atlanta

The Detroit Pistons (26-30) are traveling to State Farm Arena to battle against the Atlanta Hawks (19-39), who currently sit in the number 12 spot in eastern conference standings.

The Detroit Pistons recently snatched up a playoff spot, edging out a closely trailing Miami Heat. A game like this against a well-rested, likely motivated and young team can be dangerous for a squad like the Detroit Pistons.

Trae Young struggled early in his rookie campaign this season. Ever since hitting for a season-high 30 points in a loss against the Portland Trailblazers, Young has averaged 20.4 points a game, shooting almost 40 percent from beyond the arc (39.1) and 9.1 assists. Atlanta Hawks’ forward John Collins has logged three 30-plus point games since the beginning of the calendar year. Both teams come into the meeting with the idea to clean things up for the remainder of the season, the Detroit Pistons being more suited for a playoff push this year.

The teams are 1-1 in their regular season series and Collins wasn’t active in either of those contests.

Matchup to Watch

John Collins is a superior athlete in the NBA. But, defense in the league is predicated off of good instincts. Collins will be battling against two of the game’s elite big men in Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond under the rim. The second-year baller relies heavily on his springs to get him out of trouble when he finds himself in poor defensive position, a characteristic Griffin will readily exploit. Drummond has about 45 lbs. on Collins himself, which would leave the Atlanta Hawks exposed down-low if the play the 235-pound big man at center. That game plan would work directly into head coach Dwane Casey’s hands.

Stat before the night – 33.2 percent opponent’s three-point FG%

It’s a pretty simple statistic. The Detroit Pistons are currently the best three-point defensive team in the league, only allowing 33.2 percent from long distance. That status will be tested as the Atlanta Hawks are fifth in the league at letting it fly beyond the perimeter, attempting 35.0 three-pointers a game. The Pistons lost two of their better wing defenders in Stanley Johnson and Reggie Bullock, which leaves a big question mark on their ability to continue that defensive pace outside the line.

Quick Take

Reggie Jackson’s improvement in February has been pivotal for the Detroit Pistons. From the start of the month, Jackson has shot 55.6 percent in three-pointers, averaged 19.3 points with a plus/minus of 11. Trae Young will have his plate full.