Detroit Pistons (4-1) beat Charlotte Hornets (3-2) 97-89 at home on Wednesday, October 28 in a low-scoring game: just 186 combined points between the two teams.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Hornets had the better start, winning the first 22-21 to lead by 1 after one. The Hornets kept the pressure on with a 29-23 second quarter, carrying a 7-point lead into halftime.
The Pistons won the third 32-19 to turn the game around, taking a 6-point lead into the fourth. The Pistons took the fourth 21-19; the Pistons finished the job for a 97-89 regulation win.
What decided it
The Pistons took better care of the ball, turning it over on 14.3% of possessions compared with 24.6% for the Hornets. The Pistons got more from their shots, finishing at 53.3% effective field-goal shooting compared with 52.1% for the Hornets. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Hornets did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 25.7% against 16.3%. The Pistons made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 92 possessions per team, the Pistons produced 105.3 points per 100 possessions to 96.7 for the Hornets.
Who made the difference
Cade Cunningham was the game's biggest individual force for DET: 30 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast on 10-22 shooting. His Game Score of 24.4 led everyone.
Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 31 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast on 12-26 shooting, good for a 21.1 Game Score.
Brandon Miller (31 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Pistons about a 74% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Detroit Pistons lead 5-2.
The Pistons are now 4-1, and the Hornets are 3-2. The Pistons last five before this game: L-W-W-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.