Griffin leads Detroit into matchup with Atlanta
Detroit Pistons (26-30, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (19-39, 12th in the Eastern Conference)
Atlanta; Friday, 7 p.m. Eastern
BOTTOM LINE: Blake Griffin leads Detroit into a matchup with Atlanta. He's ninth in the league averaging 26.3 points per game.
The Hawks have gone 9-17 at home at the State Farm Arena. Atlanta is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 15.3 fast break points per game, led by Trae Young averaging 2.7.
The Pistons have gone 17-19 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit is sixth in the league with 11.3 offensive rebounds per game, led by Andre Drummond averaging 5.1. The Hawks won the last matchup between these two squads 98-95 on Dec. 23. Vince Carter scored 18 points to help lead Atlanta to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Taurean Prince leads the Hawks averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers and averages 13.4 points while shooting 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. Young is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers and has scored 20.4 points over the last 10 games for Atlanta.
Drummond leads the Pistons averaging 17.4 points and is adding 15.0 rebounds. Reggie Jackson has averaged 3.1 made 3-pointers and has scored 18.7 points over the last 10 games for Detroit.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 6-4, averaging 108.3 points, 45.3 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 5.8 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.3 points on 46.6 percent shooting.
Hawks: 4-6, averaging 114 points, 42.2 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 7.4 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.1 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.3 points on 48.8 percent shooting.
Hawks Injuries: Kevin Huerter: day to day (ankle), Miles Plumlee: out (left knee pain).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by HERO Sports, and data from Sportradar.