Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder emphasized the team’s defensive execution after their 130-129 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
“The big thing is just how you guys were able to finish off that game. And especially with it being on a defensive possession, what did you see from the guys to kind of… we got a stop to win the game, that was great,” Snyder said.
Snyder acknowledged the Pistons’ third-quarter surge, noting Detroit’s increased physicality and offensive rebounding. “They came out with a lot of aggressiveness in the third quarter. We didn’t play well, certainly. The biggest thing was we weren’t getting stops. They were offensive rebounding, and then we got stagnant offensively,” he said.
The coach addressed Atlanta’s 20 turnovers, attributing them to pressure and physicality rather than carelessness. “There were some errant passes where somebody was being denied and we threw it anyway. All the fundamentals that you talk about, they’re real. We weren’t as sound, and it allowed the ball to stick a little bit,” Snyder explained.
Highlighting individual performances, Snyder praised Jock Landale’s work against Jalen Duren. “Jock was terrific. You just have to make it hard. He fought him. The biggest thing he did is just competed, especially late when the game got tighter,” Snyder said.
He also lauded CJ McCollum’s clutch scoring, pointing out his impact in the final minutes of regulation. “He’s so confident in those situations. CJ with the ball just settles everybody… a number of them with 11 points during that span,” Snyder remarked.
Atlanta established an early lead, building a 21-point advantage by halftime through ball movement and perimeter shooting. Detroit responded with a 16-0 run in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to two possessions. Despite the Pistons’ push, McCollum and Jalen Johnson controlled the overtime period, with McCollum converting a decisive three-point play to secure the win.
Snyder reflected on the team’s resilience in overcoming Detroit’s pressure. “Being able to win a game on the defensive end… we’ve been really efficient in scoring down the stretch, but to get a stop to win the game was great,” he said. The coach noted that while the Hawks would have liked a cleaner third quarter, the team’s response demonstrated maturity and focus.
Atlanta improved to 41-32 and has gone 15-2 since the All-Star break, the best record in the Eastern Conference during that span. Snyder credited the team’s collective effort, combining offensive balance and defensive stops. “You couple that with getting some stops, and you’re pleased with how you executed down the stretch,” he said.
The Hawks will face the Boston Celtics on Friday, while Detroit hosts the New Orleans Pelicans.
