The visiting Detroit Pistons held on for a 110–104 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. The win marked Detroit’s seventh in their last nine games and snapped Charlotte’s nine-game winning streak.
Cade Cunningham delivered a standout performance, finishing with 33 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to lead the Pistons.
Third-Quarter Brawl Overshadows Contest
The contest turned volatile in the third quarter. Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate fouled Detroit’s Jalen Duren in the paint, sparking a confrontation that quickly escalated.
A second altercation near midcourt involving Miles Bridges and Isaiah Stewart spread across the floor. Diabate, Bridges, Duren and Stewart were all ejected with 7:09 remaining in the quarter and the Pistons leading 70–62.
Detroit Maintain Control After Ejections
Detroit regrouped after the lengthy stoppage and maintained control. The Pistons stretched the advantage to 85–69 following two free throws by Paul Reed.
Duncan Robinson added 18 points on an efficient 8-for-10 shooting, while Duren finished with 15 points. Reed contributed 12, and Tobias Harris chipped in 11, including a late short jumper that helped steady Detroit down the stretch.
Hornets’ Shooting Not Enough In Defeat
Brandon Miller paced Charlotte with 24 points. Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball added 20 points each, with Knueppel knocking down five three-pointers.
Despite a dominant 57–15 edge in three-point scoring and a perfect 17-for-17 performance at the free-throw line, the Hornets could not erase Detroit’s cushion.
Charlotte cut the deficit to 104–100 late through Miller’s jumper and free throws. However, they missed consecutive three-point attempts that would have given them the lead.
The teams will meet again on April 10 in Charlotte.
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