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Hawks begin road trip at Detroit

Feb 14, 2011 - 3:44 PM (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks will get away from home for a while, as they begin a seven-game road trip tonight against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Atlanta is also scheduled to visit the Knicks, Lakers, Suns, Warriors, Blazers and Nuggets, and is 16-11 outside Philips Arena this season. Philips Arena was the site of the Hawks' last game, a gut-wrenching 88-86 loss to the visiting Charlotte Bobcats on Stephen Jackson's game-winning jumper at the buzzer.

Josh Smith registered 28 points and six rebounds for the Hawks, who blew a 22- point advantage and dropped both contests during their two-game homestand. Al Horford had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby both netted 11 points in defeat -- Atlanta's second in a row after winning three straight.

"Words can't describe it," Smith said of Charlotte's comeback "We played so well in that first half but couldn't finish it out.

"We gave Stephen Jackson an opportunity to really get involved in the game, which you really can't do with the guy that can shoot the ball and score the ball in so many ways."

The Pistons will resume a five-game homestand Monday and have dropped three straight as the host, including Sunday's 105-100 setback versus Portland.

Ben Gordon scored 18 points, Tracy McGrady had 16 and Will Bynum posted 15 points for Detroit, which has lost two straight and seven of 10 contests.

"Execution down the stretch was critical," Bynum said. "We knew everybody wasn't just on the same page as far as execution wise and that's pretty much all there is to say."

Detroit will also welcome Indiana and Houston to The Palace and is 13-14 at home this season. Guard Richard Hamilton did not play because of a sore right groin and could miss more action tonight.

Atlanta and Detroit have beaten each other once this season, but the Hawks are 6-3 in the previous nine meetings between the clubs. The Pistons, however, have won three straight and 20 of 23 contests as the host in this series.