The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons (38-13) travel to face the surging Charlotte Hornets (25-28) in a matchup that pits one of the league’s top teams against a squad riding a hot streak. Detroit aims to bounce back from a rare loss, while Charlotte looks to extend its impressive run and climb the standings. This game features intriguing contrasts: the Pistons’ balanced attack and defensive prowess against the Hornets’ high-scoring offense fueled by young talent.
Venue and Time
- Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Time: 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PST)
- TV: FDSSE, FDSDET
Recent Team Forms
The Pistons have been dominant overall but stumbled recently, going 7-3 in their last 10 games with strong defensive showings in wins. They average 118.0 points while holding opponents to 108.0 in that span.
Charlotte, meanwhile, is on fire with a 9-1 record over their last 10, including a nine-game winning streak—their longest in years. They’ve averaged 114.3 points on 46.4% shooting, outscoring foes by 10.7 points per game
| Team | Last 5 Games | Key Results |
| Pistons | W vs. NYK (118-80), L vs. WAS (117-126), W vs. DEN (124-121), W vs. BKN (130-77), W vs. PHX (114-96) | High-scoring wins bookended by a defensive struggle in loss |
| Hornets | W @ ATL (126-119), W @ HOU (109-99), W vs. NOP (102-95), W vs. SAS (111-106), W vs. MEM (113-102) | Balanced offense and improved rebounding (48.6 per game in last 10) |
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with absences, but Detroit’s depth could be tested if key bigs are limited.
- Pistons:
- Jalen Duren (C): Probable (right knee soreness)—monitor closely as he’s missed recent time
- Dario Saric (F): Out (not with team)
- Ronald Holland II (F): Out (personal reasons)
- Wendell Moore Jr. (G), Tolu Smith (F), Bobi Klintman (F), Chaz Lanier (G): Out (G-League)
- Hornets:
- Coby White (G): Out (left calf strain)—expected to miss through All-Star break
- Malaki Branham (G): Out (not with team)
- PJ Hall (F/C), Liam McNeeley (F), Antonio Reeves (G): Out (G-League)
- Tidjane Salaun (F): Questionable (illness)
Key Player Matchups
This game highlights dynamic guard play and battles in the paint. Detroit’s stars will test Charlotte’s young core.
- Cade Cunningham (DET) vs. LaMelo Ball (CHA): A premier point guard duel. Cunningham (25.1 PPG, 9.7 APG, 5.5 RPG) is a triple-double threat with efficient scoring (45.9% FG)
Ball (19.1 PPG, 7.5 APG, 4.8 RPG) thrives in transition, hitting 3.3 threes per game (7th in NBA) at 36.3%
Expect high assists and scoring from both.
- Jalen Duren (DET) vs. Moussa Diabate (CHA): If Duren plays, his rebounding (10.5 RPG) and interior scoring (17.7 PPG) could dominate
Diabate (8.7 RPG) provides physicality but may struggle against Duren’s size
- Ausar Thompson (DET) vs. Brandon Miller (CHA): Thompson’s defense (1.9 SPG, 4th in NBA; 0.9 BPG) could disrupt Miller (20.3 PPG)
Miller’s scoring efficiency (42.6% FG) will be key for Charlotte.
- Other Notables: Miles Bridges (CHA, 18.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG) vs. Tobias Harris (DET); Kon Knueppel (CHA, 18.9 PPG) vs. Duncan Robinson (DET) for perimeter shooting
Expected Lineups
- Pistons: Cunningham (PG), Robinson (SG), Thompson (SF), Harris (PF), Stewart (C)
- Hornets: Ball (PG), Knueppel (SG), Miller (SF), Bridges (PF), Diabate (C)
Series History
The all-time series is razor-thin, with Detroit holding a 67-66 edge over 133 games The Pistons have won the last three meetings, including a 112-86 blowout on December 20, 2025. Charlotte’s last win over Detroit was on November 21, 2024 (123-121 OT).
In recent matchups, games have leaned under the total (1-9 O/U in last 10)
Betting Trends
- Pistons Trends: 27-24 ATS overall; 17-22 ATS as favorites by 2+ points; 21-32 O/U this season
They’ve covered in 6 of last 10 vs. Hornets.
- Hornets Trends: As underdogs, they’ve won 18 of 40 outright; 32-21 ATS overall; 5-0 straight up in last 5, but 4-1 ATS
Games have gone under in 9 of last 10 vs. Pistons
Game Odds
Detroit Pistons – 2.5
Charlotte Hornets 222.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, February 8, 2026
