The Pistons and Hawks have both begun the season with winning records, despite missing some key players due to injuries. Injuries will once again be an issue when they face each other Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass.
Below, we'll preview the game and break down three of the top Pistons vs. Hawks NBA picks on PrizePicks for Tuesday, including for Hawks F Jalen Johnson and Pistons C Jalen Duren.
Pistons vs. Hawks Prediction, Preview for Tuesday
This is the second game of a back-to-back set for the Pistons. G Cade Cunningham (hip), G/F Ausar Thompson (ankle), and F Tobias Harris (ankle) all sat out Monday versus the Pacers. Harris doesn’t have a timetable for his return, while the statuses of Cunningham and Thompson are up in the air for Tuesday.
The Hawks continue to play without G Trae Young (knee). Further complicating matters is that F/C Kristaps Porzingis (knee), F/C Onyeka Okongwu (knee), and F Zaccharie Risacher (hip) are all questionable.
Detroit Pistons
Even with so many key players missing significant time, the Pistons have won 10 straight games. They lead the Eastern Conference with a 12-2 that has included them going 4-1 on the road.
Their +6.7 point differential is the highest mark in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are playing well, winning five straight games to boost their season record to 9-5. They are 7-2 on the road, but just 2-3 at home.
One of their strengths this season has been holding teams in check from behind the arc. Opponents are shooting 33.8% from three against them, which is the sixth-lowest mark in the league.
Pistons vs. Hawks Prediction, Preview for Tuesday
Here are three of the top Pistons vs. Hawks DFS picks on PrizePicks for Tuesday. Player projections via the PrizePicks real money NBA game.
Hawks F Jalen Johnson vs. Pistons Projection – 20.5 Points
- Johnson has scored at least 21 points in nine of his 12 games.
- His average of 21.8 points per game is on pace to be the highest mark of his career.
- The fifth-year forward is shooting 58.7% from the field, 38.2% from behind the arc, and 80.7% at the free-throw line.
- Across the last eight games without Young, Johnson has averaged 14.4 shot attempts and 5.0 free-throw attempts a night.
Pistons C Jalen Duren vs. Hawks Projection – 34.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- After missing two games with an ankle injury, Duren returned and played 29 minutes versus the Pacers on Monday. He finished with 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists.
- The former first-round pick is logging 29 minutes per game this season, compared to 26 a night the previous campaign.
- With his additional minutes, Duren has averaged 20.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
- The Hawks have given up the sixth-most rebounds per game (46.4) in the league.
Hawks G Nickeil Alexander-Walker vs. Pistons Projection – 17.5 Points
- Alexander-Walker has scored at least 18 points in six of his 12 games. In four other games, he scored either 16 or 17 points.
- In his first season with the Hawks, the former first-round pick has averaged 30.4 minutes and 17.8 points.
- Since Atlanta's All-Star guard Young went down with injury, Alexander-Walker has averaged 19.0 points across seven games.
- After his 16.0% usage rate with the Timberwolves last season, Alexander-Walker has a 25.1% usage rate through 12 games with the Hawks.
The Pistons and Hawks are two of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference out of the gate. Injuries could play a key role in this marquee matchup Tuesday.
On the Hawks side, the absence of Young should continue to leave additional scoring opportunities for Johnson and Alexander-Walker.
Meanwhile, Duren looks to continue his breakout campaign with the Hawks possibly shorthanded at center.
With plenty of projections to consider for Pistons vs. Hawks and the rest of Tuesday’s slate, now is the time to build your NBA Lineup on PrizePicks. Just pick More or Less for at least two NBA player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks. Check out the Playbook for more NBA DFS picks and analysis all the way through the season.
