Deadspin: Cade Cunningham helps Pistons overcome slow start to beat Hornets
Cunningham leads Detroit’s rally
Cunningham shot 10-for-22 from the field, including 4 of 9 from three-point range, and added seven assists. Paul Reed scored 16 points, while reserve Daniss Jenkins had 14 and Duncan Robinson contributed 13.
Detroit trailed 51-44 at halftime after Charlotte had built a 12-point lead. The Pistons opened the second half with a 13-5 run, capped by a Cunningham three-pointer, and led 76-70 entering the fourth quarter.
Pistons pull away in fourth
Cunningham scored the first two baskets of the fourth, turning a 76-70 advantage into an 80-70 lead. Detroit held on for the 97-89 win in its second home game of the season.
The Pistons have won four of their first five games this season, recovering from Tuesday night’s loss to the New York Knicks. The team’s starters carried much of the scoring against Charlotte after reserves had played significant minutes in the previous game.
Miller scores 31 for Charlotte
Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 31 points, marking his third consecutive game with at least 30. He shot 12-for-26 overall and 3-for-10 from beyond the arc, and collected a game-high 12 rebounds.
Miller scored only four points in the final 15 minutes. Dennis Schroder added 14 points, while Moussa Diabate, Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen each scored nine. Charlotte’s two-game winning streak ended.
Key points
- Cade Cunningham scored 30 points and had seven assists in Detroit’s 97-89 win.
- The Pistons trailed by seven at halftime before taking a 76-70 lead into the fourth quarter.
- Brandon Miller scored 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Charlotte.
- Detroit has won four of five games this season.