(My Sportsbook) - In a season full of bad losses, the Atlanta Hawks can be forgiven for their latest setback.

Shaquille O'Neal scored 31 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Kobe Bryant added 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-91 victory Tuesday night.

Bryant provided the excitement, but it was O'Neal who was simply too much for the Hawks.

"Obviously, the turnovers in the second quarter gave them momentum, and we couldn't get out of the hole," Atlanta coach Terry Stotts said. "It seemed like the turnovers took away from any flow that we had offensively, gave them some life, gave them some easy baskets. It's hard to push it when they're on the free-throw line."

Philips Arena's first capacity crowd of the season saluted Bryant with chants of "M-V-P, M-V-P."

Glenn Robinson scored 22 points and Shareef Abdur-Rahim added 15 points and nine rebounds to the losing effort. Jason Terry handed out 16 assists, but shot just 3-of-13 from the floor.

"They're both incredibly patient," Stotts said of Los Angeles' dynamic duo.

Wednesday night, the Hawks travel to Auburn Hills to take on the Detroit Pistons. Detroit has won 11 of the last 13 meetings overall. The Hawks have dropped eight straight and 15 of their past 16 at Auburn Hills.

The Pistons have won six of their last seven home games and are 26-7 in their building this season. Detroit is 31-14 against the Eastern Conference, with a 15-6 record within the Central Division.

Detroit holds the top seed in the East by 2 1/2 games over the Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey Nets. The Pistons also lead the Central Division by 3 1/2 games over the Indiana Pacers.