DETROIT (AP) — LaMelo Ball had 31 points and 12 assists, Terry Rozier added a triple-double and the Charlotte Hornets ended a six-game losing streak with a 141-119 win against the struggling Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
Detroit has lost seven in a row and 11 of 12.
Rozier finished with 25 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Miles Bridges had 25 points for the Hornets, who hadn’t won since beating the Los Angeles Lakers 117-114 on Jan. 28.
Montrezl Harrell had 15 points in his Charlotte debut, one day after being acquired from the Washington Wizards for Vernon Carey Jr., Ish Smith and draft picks.
Saddiq Bey led the Pistons with 25 points, and Cade Cunningham had 12 points and six turnovers in his return after missing six games with a hip injury.
Marvin Bagley III joined the Pistons as part of a four-player trade at Thursday’s deadline, but hadn’t completed his physical in time to play against Charlotte.
Charlotte led 79-55 at the half, making it the second straight night that the Pistons were down by at least 20 after two quarters at home. The Hornets shot 56.9% from the floor, including 45% on 3-pointers, while Detroit shot 46% and missed 14 of 17 3-pointers.
Bell added 11 points in the third as Charlotte continued to score at will. They led 110-87 going into the fourth and were never challenged down the stretch.
TIP INS
Hornets: Charlotte also shredded Detroit’s defense in the teams’ prior meeting, Jan. 5.
Pistons: Guard Frank Jackson missed the second half with a back injury. Cory Joseph left in the third quarter with a cut eye, but returned for the fourth quarter after receiving stitches.
OXFORD STRONG
The Pistons honored Oxford High School at the game, 73 days after the school shooting in which four students were killed. Members of the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams lined up with the Pistons for the national anthem, which was performed by an Oxford student. The high school is about 40 miles north of Little Caesars Arena, but only a short drive from the Pistons’ long-time home -- the Palace of Auburn Hills.
UP NEXT
Hornets: Host the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.
Pistons: Visit the Washington Wizards on Monday.
