The Detroit Pistons didn't go down without a fight on Wednesday evening before exiting State Farm Arena in a 121-113 loss to the Atlanta Hawks despite 50 points from Malachi Flynn. The Pistons reserve guard wasn't the only one who had a career night, although he was the only one in a Detroit uniform. Atlanta Hawks starting forward Jalen Johnson tallied his very first triple-double with 28 points, 14 rebounds, 4 steals and a career-high 11 assists.

Impressively, Clint Capela chipped in 11 points and 16 rebounds (12 in the last 14 games) while Dejounte Murray added 24 points on nearly 50% shooting from the field and Deandre Hunter pitched in with 26 points while only missing attempts. Perhaps maybe the best kept secret may have been the progression and development from rookie guard Kobe Bufkin although only scoring nine points off the bench, it was his fearless play and energy that sparked the Hawks when they may have needed it most in critical moments of the game.

Why does the matchup versus Detroit always seem to result in a struggle for Atlanta?

Considering his recent stellar play, how much should the front office of the Hawks be entertaining the idea of upgrading the center position?

Would Jalen Johnson be the NBA's Most Improved Player had it not been for the league's new ruling?

#nba #atlantahawks #truetoatlanta #detroitpistons #malachiflynn #jalenjohnson #careerhigh #50 #easternconference

DeShaun Tate and Tenitra Batiste weigh in prior to Thursday's preview with a matchup versus the Dallas Mavericks. 

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