The Atlanta Hawks got All-Star Joe Johnson back from injury and clawed their way to a 50-41 lead at halftime over the Detroit Pistons. Both teams shot the ball well in the first half although Atlanta benefited by scoring 10 points off of 13 Detroit turnovers.
Josh Smith once again leads the Hawks with 13 points on 6-10 shooting the first half. Marvin Williams snapped out of his recent shooting slump to score 12 points including 3-3 from three-point range. Joe Johnson returned to the starting lineup playing 13 minutes in the first half and hitting 3-6 field goals for seven first half points. Kirk Hinrich and Ivan Johnson gave the Hawks a lift off the bench combining for 13 points. Hinrich hit all three of his shots from the field for his seven points while Johnson finished with six points, two steals and two assists.
The Pistons' Jason Maxiell always seems to hurt the Hawks and tonight is no different as he leads the team with 11 points and six rebounds. Rodney Stuckey added nine points while Greg Monroe and Tayshaun Prince have six each.
For more on this game Hawks fans should check out Peachtree Hoops and Pistons fans should join the conversation at Detroit Bad Boys. For more news and analysis from around the NBA head on over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.