The Detroit Pistons clinched their fifth victory out of their last six games by narrowly defeating the Charlotte Hornets 98-94 on Friday night in Detroit. The win signals the Pistons' strength as they continue to build momentum, leaning heavily on key performances from their stars.
Tobias Harris shone for the Pistons, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, making significant contributions on both ends of the court. Cade Cunningham also played well, contributing 18 points, alongside Jalen Duren, who added 10 points and collected 14 rebounds. For the Hornets, who faced yet another setback with this loss, Miles Bridges topped the scoring with 20 points, and Mark Williams pitched in with 18 points of his own.
The game was particularly significant for the Pistons, who came off a previous matchup against the Orlando Magic, where rookie sensation Jaden Ivey suffered a broken leg—a devastating blow to the team's lineup. Without Ivey, Wendell Moore Jr. started at shooting guard but struggled to find his footing, failing to score in his 15 minutes on the floor. Meanwhile, Malik Beasley stepped up and scored 12 points, filling the void left by Ivey's absence.
Despite the Pistons' solid performance overall, the game was tightly contested, especially during the first half. At one juncture, the Pistons trailed by one point, 47-46, with just under five minutes left until the halftime break. The Hornets took advantage, going on an 11-2 run, culminating with Bridges hitting a remarkable 30-foot three-pointer to close the half with the score at 65-52 favoring the Hornets.
It was evident from the start of the second half, though, the Pistons had readjusted their strategy. They stormed back, outscoring Charlotte 32-17 during the third quarter, showcasing their defensive prowess and showing grit by minimizing turnovers and taking high-percentage shots.
During the fourth quarter, the Pistons held off the Hornets, outscoring them 14-12. Although they struggled to maintain their lead, they managed to build it to 92-85 with four and half minutes left on the clock. The Hornets, accountable for their numerous missed opportunities, only managed to sink two of their first seven free throws during this significant stretch.
Despite the close scoreline, the Hornets seemed trapped, unable to fully capitalize on the Pistons' fouling issues throughout the game, committing just 10 fouls compared to Detroit's 27. The Pistons made several strategic fouls late to disrupt Hornets' rhythm, but Charlotte was unable to convert on these opportunities by missing 11 of 30 free attempts—a glaring issue contributing to their continued struggles, now marking nine straight losses.
With this win, the Pistons prove they can push forward even when faced with injury setbacks, providing glimpses of their potential moving forward. The match encapsulated the resilience of this young team as they strive for consistency and growth through the season.
Looking forward, the Hornets will continue their road trip, facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers soon, hoping to snap their frustrating losing streak. The Pistons, meanwhile, will host the Minnesota Timberwolves, eager to put another win under their belts.
Last night’s performance once again proved just how important team dynamics are, especially when dealing with challenges like injuries, but for the Pistons, the message is clear: they are staying competitive, and as the season progresses, they look poised to make their mark.