After securing their first home victory in four tries this season, the Detroit Pistons are heading on the road, aiming for their third straight win in Wednesday night’s clash against the Charlotte Hornets.
Detroit followed its 106-92 victory over Brooklyn on Sunday with a 115-103 home win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Jaden Ivey’s season-high 26 points powered the Pistons, who have won three of their last four games. Ivey shot 10 of 16 from the field and was one of six Detroit players to finish in double figures against the Lakers.
Either Ivey or fellow guard Cade Cunningham has been Detroit’s leading scorer in every game this season. Monday marked the third time Ivey finished as the Pistons’ top scorer. Cunningham recorded his third career triple-double in the win, with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Hornets had been competitive in their first six games until they experienced rough second and third quarters in Monday night’s 114-93 loss at Minnesota.
The Timberwolves outscored Charlotte 67-47 during those quarters, handing the Hornets their third straight loss.
Despite Charlotte’s skid, guard LaMelo Ball’s point production remains encouraging. Ball has recorded four 30-point games and entered Tuesday with the NBA’s seventh-highest scoring average (28.6 points per game). He has led the Hornets in scoring in six of the team’s seven games.
Ball had 19 points against Minnesota, but no other Hornet scored more than 10. Charlotte made just 10 of its 42 three-pointers (23.8 percent) and shot 35-of-88 (39.8 percent) overall.
The Hornets ranked 21st out of 30 teams in scoring (111.3 points per game) entering Tuesday’s action. Some of their offensive struggles can be tied to Brandon Miller’s injury issues. The second-year forward missed four games with a strained left glute before returning on Saturday.
Charlotte has also battled injuries in the post. Center Nick Richards has missed the Hornets’ last two games due to right shoulder soreness.
This matchup offers the Pistons a chance to build on their recent successes and for the Hornets to bounce back from their losing streak.
