The Pistons erased a seven-point halftime deficit with a dominant third quarter and closed out an 97-89 home win.
Detroit turned a 51-44 halftime deficit into a 97-89 win by outscoring Charlotte 32-19 in the third quarter, then edging the Hornets 21-19 in the fourth. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 30 points on 10-of-22 shooting, adding 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, no blocks and 1 turnover. Paul Reed supplied 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 4 rebounds, no assists, 3 steals, 1 block and 3 turnovers, while Daniss Jenkins scored 14 on 6-of-10 shooting with 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, no blocks and no turnovers. Brandon Miller kept Charlotte in range with 31 points on 12-of-26 shooting, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, no blocks and 3 turnovers. Detroit also got 14 points from Dennis Schroder on 6-of-10 shooting, plus 4 rebounds, 5 assists, no steals, no blocks and 5 turnovers; Duncan Robinson added 13 on 4-of-13 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 1 block and 2 turnovers. The third-quarter surge proved decisive, as Detroit protected its lead through the final period to secure the eight-point victory.
Key Performers
Cade Cunningham: 30 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL; 10/22 FG Brandon Miller: 31 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL; 12/26 FG Paul Reed: 16 PTS, 4 REB, 3 STL, 1 BLK; 5/7 FG
Standings Impact
Detroit improves from 3-1 to 4-1, while Charlotte moves from 3-1 to 3-2. The provided power index had Detroit seventh and Charlotte 12th.
DYMA Insight
The Pistons' 32-point third quarter was the game's hinge: they overcame Charlotte's seven-point halftime edge and held the Hornets to 19 in the period. Cunningham and Reed combined for 46 points, with Reed adding three steals and a block.