Pistons topple Hornets for rare victory

Field Level Media|published: Wed 24th January, 21:42 2024

Jan 24, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes (7) dribbles defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. credits: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Bojan Bogdanovic poured in 34 points and the host Detroit Pistons downed the Charlotte Hornets 113-106 on Wednesday night.

Alec Burks had 15 points and Jalen Duren supplied 14 with eight rebounds in Detroit's fifth win this season. Isaiah Stewart added 11 points and eight rebounds.

Monte Morris chipped in seven points in his season and Pistons debut. Morris, who was acquired from Washington in the offseason, had been sidelined by a quad injury.

The Hornets were playing their first game since trading starting guard Terry Rozier to Miami.

Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 23 points and seven rebounds, Nick Richards had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Miles Bridges contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds. LaMelo Ball added 17 points and seven assists before fouling out.

Neither side led by more than six during the first half.

Bridges knocked down a 3-pointer with eight seconds left to tie it 52-52 at halftime.

Ball gave the Hornets a 68-66 lead when he drained a transition 3-pointer. The Pistons answered with a 10-0 run.

Bogdanovic got it started with a stepback 3-pointer. Morris scored the next field goal, then set up a Duren layup and Killian Hayes' 3-pointer.

A 14-3 Charlotte run allowed it to regain the lead. Miller scored 12 of those points on a trio of 3-pointers and a three-point play.

Charlotte held a 92-89 lead entering the fourth.

Detroit opened the quarter with an 11-2 run for a six-point advantage. Marcus Sasser put the Pistons back on top with a 3-pointer and set up another by Burks to finish it off.

The Pistons then went scoreless for over five minutes while Charlotte took a 104-100 lead. Richards provided the go-ahead bucket with a putback dunk.

Burks ended Detroit's drought with a 3-pointer and Bogdanovic hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 106-106.

Duren's tip-in with 1:12 left gave the Pistons the lead. His dunk with 37 seconds remaining gave them a four-point advantage.

Following a Hornets turnover, Bogdanovic made one of two free throws. Ball then committed an offensive foul, effectively giving Detroit a much-needed win.

—Field Level Media

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