Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, March 24 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Hornets at only 51%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Hornets 51%, with a projected score of Detroit Pistons 114, Charlotte Hornets 115. The rating gap is 91 points in favor of the Pistons, and home court and rest add about 99 rating points for the Hornets on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 49 times in 100 games like this, the Pistons would win.
Recent form
The Pistons are 3-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +5.6. The Hornets are 3-1 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -11.8.
The Pistons' best recent win was 115-94 on the road against CLE.
The Pistons were beaten 125-94 at home by CLE not long ago.
The Hornets were beaten 128-81 at home by ATL not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Pistons score 118.3 a game and allow 105.7. The Hornets score 104 and allow 111. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 114.7 for the Pistons and 104.9 for the Hornets, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Pistons' offense is the stronger unit against the Hornets' defense.
Injuries to watch
Out: Jalen Duren (DET), expected back Nov 9, 2026, Coby White (CHA), expected back Oct 31, 2026, Kon Knueppel (CHA), expected back Oct 31, 2026, Grant Williams (CHA), expected back Oct 31, 2026, and Kylan Boswell (CHA), expected back Nov 2, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Ausar Thompson (DET), Isaiah Joe (DET), Elijah Harkless (DET), and Isaac Jones (DET). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Pistons lead 5-2, with the Pistons outscoring the Hornets by an average of 8.7 points per game. The last meeting was DET 118, CHA 100.