Pistons crush Hawks from the start

The Hawks trailed by as many as 24 points in the first quarter and 30 points in the first half. They couldn’t recover. The Pistons won a 118-95 decisive decision Wednesday night at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Hawks (24-18) had a two-game win streak snapped and lost for just the second time in the past 11 games. They also had a five-game road win streak end.

It wasn’t the first time the Hawks have been embarrassed by the Pistons this season. They lost 121-85 in Atlanta in December. The Pistons win the regular-season series, 2-1.

Paul Millsap had 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The Hawks also got double-digit scoring from Dennis Schroder and Kris Humphries with 13 points each and Kent Bazemore, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Taurean Prince with 10 points each. The Hawks had a chance to move a season-best eight games over .500 but the prospect of that ended early.

The Pistons (20-24) won their second straight game. Reggie Jackson led six players in double figures, including all starters, with a game-high 26 points. Tobias Harris had 19 points and Andre Drummond had a double-double of 13 points and 17 rebounds.

The Pistons jumped on the Hawks from the start and took a 42-18 lead after the first quarter. They shot 60 percent from the field and made 6 of 7 3-pointers. It tied the most points allowed by the Hawks in any quarter this season.

It would get worse.

The Hawks trailed by as many as 30 points in the first half, 54-24. The Hawks used an 11-1 run to cut their deficit to 20 points. They would get no closer in through three quarters. The Pistons took a 69-45 after two quarters and 94-68 after three quarters. With less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer pulled his starters. Gary Neal, who was signed to a 10-day contract hours before the game, made his debut.

The Hawks’ unit of reserves got as close as 18 points, 100-82, with six and a half minutes remaining.