NBA Matchups: March 7

Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons

Team Totals: Hawks 117, Pistons 110

Injury Report: Kevin Huerter (Q, shoulder), Hamidou Diallo (Q, illness)

Hawks projected starters: Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela

Pistons projected starters: Cory Joseph, Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart

McMillan quotes: Said Huntner and Bogdan did a great job on DeMar in the last game, said Hunter had more energy on the offensive end because he was attacking more, said they were great at hunting matchups with Trae

Casey quotes: Said the young players are starting to play more connected, said they have to do a better job of limiting teams on the glass lately, said he liked how Cade was able to stay in front against the Pacers guards, said Bagley was great on the offensive end but he got a little tired on the offensive end.

Stats and Notes: 

*The Hawks are not playing great defense right now with a 23th-ranked defense since Feb. 1 while the Pistons are right behind them at 25. Both teams have a couple plus defenders to make certain matchups a little tougher, but this is a pretty attractive spot if the Pistons can keep it close.

*This should be an easy matchup for Trae Young. The Pistons have been putting Killian Hayes and Cory Joseph on most point guards, and their weak paint defense could help Trae get it going on two-point shots. He’s also been off since Mar. 4, so that has to help after his ankle issue from last week.

*Clint Capela getting rest is also huge, and he gets a massive size advantage on Isaiah Stewart. Onyeka Okongwu coming back does lower his minutes ceiling slightly and John Collins returning caps him even more, but he’s still a fine option. I don’t think I’d go there on the other Hawks unless Kevin Huerter is out. That would obviously make Bogdan a player to target while Hunter’s minutes ceiling would increase as well.

*It’s not a great matchup for Jerami Grant and Cade Cunningham. Grant should run into John Collins while Cade likely sees Hunter. It’s possible that Collins is a little limited, so I would prefer Grant over Cade.

*Saddiq Bey could be in a sneaky-good spot against Huerter or Bogdan. He’s playing at a high level as his minutes have routinely been in the mid-to-upper 30s. He’s seen a 20-plus usage rate in each of his last four games, which is the longest such streak since Jan. 3 (Grant was out). I’m down for some Headband ‘Diq.

Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers