For the Detroit Pistons, eight is more than enough.
The losses have been piling up in the early going and they’ll look to end their eight-game slide when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.
The game is part of the NBA’s new in-season tournament. The Pistons lost their East Group A opener to Philadelphia on Friday, 114-106. The Hawks will be playing their tournament opener.
Detroit hit the road after the loss to the Sixers and were defeated Sunday by Chicago, 119-108. The Pistons haven’t won since they defeated the Bulls Oct. 28.
There were a few positive developments in the latest defeat.
Forward Kevin Knox led Detroit with 18 points off the bench. Knox was beginning his second stint with the franchise after signing as a free agent on Wednesday.
Alec Burks also gave the team a boost off the bench, supplying 16 points. Burks missed the previous six games with a forearm injury.
Jaden Ivey added six points in 11 minutes. He hadn’t played the previous four games due to a viral infection.
What the Pistons couldn’t overcome was a quiet night from their star, Cade Cunningham. He got into early foul trouble and was held to a season-low 10 points.
The Hawks have won five of their past seven games, but fell in their most recent outing Saturday, 117-109, to Miami. Atlanta was outscored by 17 points in the opening quarter and never recovered.
Turnovers were a major issue, as the Heat converted 22 giveaways into 23 points.
Trae Young leads the Hawks at 24.4 points per game but he’s shooting just 35.7 percent from the field. Despite Young’s shooting slump, the Hawks are averaging 120.3 points per game.
Young didn’t hesitate to shoot against the Pistons last season. He averaged 31.8 points as Atlanta swept the four-game season series.
Following Tuesday’s game, Atlanta will return for a four-game homestand. Detroit will play its next two games on the road.
