Detroit's 5-1 Start Puts Charlotte's 98-Point Offense on Trial

Detroit arrives at Charlotte 5-1 and fourth in the power index; the Hornets are 3-4 and ranked 21st, making this an early test of whether Charlotte can close the gap. The Pistons average 109.8 points and allow 101.8, while Charlotte scores 98.3 and gives up 106.4 per game. Cade Cunningham has 133 points and 43 assists in six games, and Duncan Robinson has hit 22 threes; Charlotte’s Brandon Miller leads his team with 171 points in seven games. The key matchup is whether the Hornets can disrupt Cunningham’s playmaking without leaving Robinson open on the perimeter. With Jalen Duren out, Paul Reed’s 42 rebounds in six games give Detroit another frontcourt option as Charlotte tries to control the glass.