(My Sportsbook) - Fresh off a devastating loss, the
Detroit Pistons will aim for a quick turnaround when the slumping club hosts the
Atlanta Hawks tonight at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Detroit blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead in last night's 107-102 defeat to rival Chicago at the United Center. The Bulls went ahead to stay on Ben Gordon's four-point play with just 16.7 seconds left to play.
Playing without superstar Allen Iverson, the Pistons failed to make a field goal in the final 3 1/2 minutes and suffered their second straight loss. The club is just 5-11 since January 10.
Iverson sat out Tuesday's tilt with flu-like symptoms, and it's unclear as to whether the perennial All-Star will be able to return for tonight's game.
Richard Hamilton poured in 30 points for Detroit in last night's setback, while Rasheed Wallace amassed 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Pistons will try to get back on track against an Atlanta team that hasn't posted a victory in any of its last seven visits to the Motor City. The Hawks last defeated Detroit at the Palace of Auburn Hills on December 10, 2004.
Atlanta has been playing well as of late, however, and delivered its third win in its last four game with last night's 111-90 home triumph over lowly Washington. Joe Johnson led the way with a 22-point, eight-assist, six-rebound effort.
Flip Murray finished with 16 points and Zaza Pachulia had 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks, while Mike Bibby contributed 12 points and six assists in his return to the Atlanta lineup. The veteran guard had missed Saturday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers with a sprained left foot.
Tonight's contest begins a six-game road trip for Atlanta, with the final five matchups coming after the All-Star break. The Hawks are just 11-15 as the visitor this season but have won their last two away from home.
The Hawks did hand Detroit an 85-78 loss in Atlanta on December 21. The Pistons had won eight of the nine most recent meetings between the teams prior to that game.