ATLANTA — It's still not time to start talking about moral victories for the Pistons.
They've played three games against likely playoff teams and don't have a victory to show for it yet.
They were shorthanded, but they still stayed within single digits in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks. The offense sputtered, and the defense didn't have an answer for All-Star guard Trae Young, and the Hawks rolled to a 122-104 victory on Monday night at State Farm Arena.
The Pistons were without leading scorer Jerami Grant, who has an elbow infection, and the offense struggled in the first quarter, shooting only 27% (6-of-22) from the field.
Kelly Olynyk, who started in place of Grant, had 21 points six rebounds and four assists, and Saddiq Bey added 21 points and seven rebounds.
Josh Jackson, who also started for the first time the season, had 18 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Killian Hayes had his best game of the season, with 12 points and three assists.
The Pistons (0-3) were within 82-72 at the 3:49 mark of the third quarter following a 7-0 run, with two free throws by Trey Lyles, a three-point play by Isaiah Stewart (13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four blocks) and a lay-in by Bey.
Cam Reddish (17 points) answered with a 3-pointer, starting a decisive 13-2 run that also included 3-pointers by Lou Williams and Gorgui Dieng, a drive by Young (32 points and nine assists) and another jumper by Dieng.
That rally pushed the lead to 95-77, and the Hawks cruised the rest of the way.
Hayes, who had just one field goal in the first two games, seemed to find his rhythm, with his best offensive performance of the season.
He had a big second quarter, with nine points, then hit a 3-pointer in the third quarter as the Pistons were whittling down the lead, which had gotten to 15 points.
Coach Dwane Casey said before the game that he wasn't worried about Hayes' shooting, but more about his decision-making and others making the shots that he set up.
In the second and third quarters, Hayes looked more aggressive in searching for his shots, stopping for pull-up, midrange jumpers, and also finding open 3-point opportunities.
The Hawks (2-1) jumped out to a 28-18 lead in the first quarter, with only four points from Young, who exploded for 18 points in the second quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers.
The Pistons kept scratching, and after a 6-0 run, with a hook by a basket by Josh Jackson, a dunk by Oynyk and two free throws from Hayes, they were within 53-46 at the 2:26 mark.
