Why Jaylen Johnson isn’t worried about his 5-game winning streak ending

ATLANTA, Georgia – The Atlanta Hawks are back at home after a trip to the West Coast where they went 4-0, and extended the streak of five victories in the process. Their next opponent was the Detroit Pistons, which was probably one of the toughest they had to face over the past week as they rode a 10-game winning streak.

For most of the game, the Pistons showed why they are one of the best early in the season, and gave the Hawks strength on offense and defense. Just like the Hawks did against the Phoenix Suns, they were able to cut a big deficit during the fourth quarter, but this time they weren’t able to close the deal and lost 120-112. Execution was at its best down the stretch as it was hard to get easy looks and they turned the ball over. In defense, Cade Cunningham hit some tough basketsand the Hawks had no answer.

“Execution is big for us, especially down the stretch,” Jalen Johnson he said after the game. “Obviously having Tree helps, but I think the most important thing is we have to figure out what’s working and what’s not and stick with it. Keep trusting the process, we’ll end up being sharper in the last five minutes of the game, so I’m not worried about that.”

The Hawks cut the game to within one point late in the fourth, but then had two turnovers and had their shot blocked. From there, the Pistons’ lead jumped to eight.

“We were still in the game despite all those turnovers,” Johnson said. “I’ve got to be better with the ball, I had four in the second half. They were pretty expensive but I still feel like we gave ourselves a chance at the end of the day.”

“We’re not worried. It’s the NBA, we’re not going to be on a perfect streak forever. Detroit was a good team coming in, and they gave us a good test to see where we’re at with things. I have no doubt we’ll be back.”

Hawks unable to complete fourth quarter comeback against Pistons

Nickeil Alexander-Walker was a big key for the Hawks coming back against the Suns, and he was key and started the streak in Game 4 against the Pistons. He led the team with 10 points in the quarter, but has a few shots he wished he could get back, especially from three.

“When I really think about it, credit to them for playing good defense,” Alexander-Walker said. “But when I think about it, those are the threes I feel like we’re going to live with. A lot of them, maybe except two or three, but out of nine, I felt like at least five looked good. Let’s say I make three out of those five, it’s a different game. Sometimes you have to live with bad shooting nights.

“I didn’t feel like we were normal out of three, and when we kind of went for that little bit in the second, I didn’t feel like the look was something we couldn’t live with.

Despite the loss, Alexander-Walker is taking the same approach as Johnson: He doesn’t seem overly concerned about the team moving forward.

“Not everyone was available to play and we’re still giving ourselves a chance to win against some really good teams, so I’m happy with where we’re at,” Alexander-Walker said. “Not complacent, but satisfied, and just (put) our heads down and get better.”