Hornets take down Pistons for tenth straight time, 87-76

Miles Bridges scored 18 while Malik Monk scored 17 off the bench as the Charlotte Hornets defeated a sloppy Detroit Pistons team, 87-76

The Hornets did a little role reversal in the first quarter. After falling behind 31-10 in the first quarter on Saturday, they limited the Pistons to just 11 first quarter points tonight. Miles Bridges got off to a fast start back his home state, leading the Hornets with seven first quarter points. After one, the Hornets led 21-11.

Even with the Hornets struggling to control the defensive glass, it didn’t take long for them to build their lead further. An 8-2 run that included Jalen McDaniels’ first career 3-pointer put the Hornets up by 15 before the midway point of the second quarter. The Pistons chipped away a little at the Hornets lead a little bit, but the Hornets finished the half with a bang and took a ten point lead into the break:

The Hornets struggled to generate offense coming out of the intermission. The Pistons did too, but they got back to their offensive rebounding ways to manufacture some easy points for themselves. They pulled as close as two points on a couple occasions, but the Hornets were always able to answer with a bucket or two to get their space back. Back to back 3-pointers from Bridges and Malik Monk put the Hornets up seven heading into the fourth. Monk also graced us with this highlight during the quarter:

The Hornets had a chance to get their lead back to double figures, but Terry Rozier blew an open layup off a nice find from Cody Zeller. The Pistons scored on the other end to complete the four point swing, but the Hornets were undaunted. Jalen McDaniels made a three, Cody Zeller a tip-in, and Devonte’ Graham a three on three straight possessions to put the Hornets up 15 with just over six minutes to play. The Pistons packed in from there. They committed a number of egregious turnovers and gave up a number of easy buckets to the Hornets as the Hornets cruised to an easy win.

This was not a good basketball game. The Hornets struggled at points to keep the Pistons off the offensive glass. The Hornets shot sub-40% from the field and sub-30% from three. Fortunately the Pistons were a different level of incompetent, shooting 36% from the field and 20% from three while committing 21 turnovers.

Malik Monk and Miles Bridges both continued their strong play, which is very exciting heading into the season's home stretch. Devonte' Graham and Cody Zeller both notched double doubles. Jalen McDaniels finished with a career high eight points.

The Hornets will head to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves before getting eight days off for the All Star break.