The Detroit Pistons have done so many things well across the first couple of weeks of the season. Some of that execution was on display last week against the Charlotte Hornets. They’ll look for a repeat when the teams meet again Monday night in Charlotte.
The Pistons have been off since Friday night’s 110-94 victory at Brooklyn, pushing their record to 5-1. Cade Cunningham scored 20 points in the win.
Detroit also has received solid output from forward Paul Reed, who logged a team-high 31 minutes at Brooklyn. He has scored in double figures in three consecutive games while shooting 20-for-31 from the field during that stretch. He’s at 63 percent for the season.
“He impacts the game in so many ways,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s just a spark all the time on both ends of the floor.”
Wednesday night, Cunningham and Charlotte’s Brandon Miller put on a show in the Pistons’ 97-89 home victory. Cunningham had 30 points and Miller posted 31.
Cunningham produced a triple-double vs. the Hornets last December in Detroit, and the Pistons won twice more in Charlotte in the latter half of the season. In February, Detroit claimed a 110-104 decision in a brawl-marred matchup that included four player ejections plus coach Charles Lee’s early dismissal. In April, the Pistons won 118-100.
The new season has brought different impact players to the teams, particularly Charlotte. It’s taking time for the Hornets to mesh, and they have already experienced highs and lows.
“Some of those small things,” Lee said. “We have to keep that defensive intensity. I think if we continue to learn (about) each other and get on the same page.”
Charlotte is averaging a league-low 98.3 points per game. In contrast, Detroit has a league-best defensive figure, allowing 101.8 points per game, aided by the first matchup with the Hornets.
The Hornets (3-4) are looking to regroup after losing three games across a four-night span. On Saturday, they gave up a late 13-0 run to the Philadelphia 76ers in a 109-104 home setback.
“Being in that situation, we’re going to be able to go back, look at the film and watch how we can be a lot better,” Lee said. “Coverage execution defensively and offensively, making sure we’re all on the same page, we’re all in the same spots and we’re taking care of the ball.”
Late-game sequences didn’t go Charlotte’s way.
“Unlucky doesn’t (matter),” guard Grayson Allen said. “We’ve got to figure out a way.”
Charlotte had bemoaned its offensive struggles in back-to-back games before shooting a season-best 50 percent from the field against the 76ers.
Allen’s season-high 27 points made him Charlotte’s leading scorer for the first time since the season opener. Lee said he looks forward to seeing the guard’s influence on the offense expanding after he connected on seven 3-point shots Saturday.
“His shooting has always been something that has been at a premium,” Lee said. “It was good to see him drive it and kick it.”
Miller is averaging 24.5 points per game. He has at least three 3-point baskets in all except for one game.
–Field Level Media
