Brandon Miller's 21 points have Charlotte ahead 51-44 at the break after the Hornets pulled away in the second quarter.
Charlotte turned a 22-21 first-quarter edge into a 51-44 halftime lead by outscoring Detroit 29-23 in the second. Brandon Miller has 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, giving the Hornets a steady scoring engine. Cade Cunningham has 15 points but is 4-of-12 from the field, while Dennis Schroder has added nine on 4-of-5 shooting for Detroit. Both teams entered 3-1, with Detroit ranked No. 7 and Charlotte No. 11 in the power index; after the break, watch whether the Pistons can slow Miller and trim the seven-point gap.
Key Performers
Brandon Miller, Charlotte: 21 points, 7-of-14 FG Cade Cunningham, Detroit: 15 points, 4-of-12 FG Dennis Schroder, Charlotte: 9 points, 4-of-5 FG