Charlotte pulls away late, takes down Detroit, 118-103

In some ways, Friday's victory over the Pistons was very similar to Wednesday's victory over the Pelicans.

In other ways, it was very different from it.

The Hornets used strong team play to put away Detroit early and not let them back into the game, cruising to a 118-103 victory Friday night at Time Warner Cable Arena to take the season series from the Pistons. With the victory, Charlotte moves to eight games over .500 for the first time since the 2000-2001 season, before the Charlotte Bobcats ever existed.

The offense of the Hornets (36-28) was clicking all night, as for the second-consecutive game seven players scored in double digits and the team broke 60 points and shot better than 50 percent from the floor in the first half. Unlike Wednesday though, the Hornets kept their foot on the petal when it mattered most. The Pistons (33-32)were able to cut what was once a 19-point lead down to five, but Charlotte took control and never let Detroit come close afterwards. After a 19-point third quarter, the Hornets dropped 30 on the Pistons in the fourth to put them away and secure their season-high fifth straight victory.

Charlotte was led by Marvin Williams, who finished the game with 22 points and six rebounds and tied a career-high with five 3-pointers made. Nicolas Batum finished with 17 points, 11 assists and five rebounds for his tenth double-double of the year (tied for the team-high). Kemba Walker's streak of 30+-point games ended at four, as Walker finished with just 16 points and eight assists. Courtney Lee continued his hot offensive play, shooting 7-for-9 from the floor to finish with 15 points. Al Jefferson chipped in 12, while Cody Zeller and Frank Kamisnky both finished with 10.

The Hornets shot 50.6 percent from the floor for the game, and made 10 3-pointers, their 39th-such game (second-most in the Association).

The Pistons were led by the trio of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Jackson and Tobias Harris, who scored at least 20 points. Andre Drummond was limited to just five points and nine rebounds on one field goal, as Detroit turned the ball over 12 times, which Charlotte turned into 25 points.

The Hornets return to the court Saturday evening when they host James Harden, Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets.