NBA: Pistons overcome slow start to rally past Hornets

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris, left, and Charlotte Hornets guard Vasilije Micic, right, scramble for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Tobias Harris had 24 points with 10 rebounds and the Detroit Pistons defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets 98-94 in the NBA on Friday night.

Cade Cunningham supplied 18 points for Detroit, which has won five of its last six games. Malik Beasley had 12 points off the bench, Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in 11 and Jalen Duren added 10 with 14 rebounds.

Detroit was playing its first game since starting guard Jaden Ivey suffered a fractured left fibula against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

READ: NBA: Pistons guard Jaden Ivey has surgery broken on leg

Miles Bridges led Charlotte with 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Mark Williams had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets, who have lost nine straight and 17 of their last 18.

Charlotte had hopes of ending its skid by holding a 65-52 lead at halftime.

The Hornets were clinging to a 47-46 lead, then finished the opening half on a 18-6 run. They took advantage of Cunningham spending most of that span on the bench after picking up his third foul. Seth Curry had a three-point play during the outburst, and Bridges finished it off by picking off a pass and making a 31-foot 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer.

Bridges had 14 points by the break and Williams tossed in 12.

READ: NBA: Pistons turn back Magic for 4th win in 5 games

Detroit scored the first five points of the second half, including a Harris 3-pointer, before Bridges and Curry hit 3-pointers to restore Charlotte’s double-digit advantage.

With the score 73-61 early in the third quarter, the Pistons reeled off a 12-2 run that Duren began with a putback and finished off with a dunk. Detroit took a 79-78 lead on a Hardaway 3-pointer with 3:25 remaining in the quarter.

The Pistons finished the third on a 5-1 spurt, including a Harris dunk, to gain an 84-82 lead.

Up 86-85 with under nine minutes left, the Pistons had a 6-0 spurt that included two Harris baskets. After the Hornets pulled within two points, Cunningham hit a midrange jumper for a 94-90 lead with 3:10 left.

A Bridges turnover led to a Harris fast break layup for a 96-90 advantage. A Williams layup and two Josh Green free throws pulled Charlotte within two points.

Cunningham split two free throws with 19.3 seconds left. Duren then blocked a KJ Simpson, shot but Detroit’s Ausar Thompson missed two free throws.

Bridges missed a 3-point attempt and Hardaway clinched the Pistons’ win with a free throw. –Field Level Media