Jalen Duren, Pistons relegate Hornets to East’s play-in tournament
Jalen Duren scored 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field and the Detroit Pistons rode a strong stretch early the fourth quarter to a 118-110 win over the host Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
Duncan Robinson racked up 19 points, Cade Cunningham had 14 points, Ronald Holland II posted 13 points and Ausar Thompson added 12 points for the Pistons (59-22), who have won five of their past six games. Detroit had already locked up first place in the Eastern Conference.
The outcome means the Hornets (43-38) will be in the East's play-in tournament. The loss eliminated any chance that they could advance directly to the playoff bracket.
LaMelo Ball's 27 points, including six 3-point baskets, led the Hornets, while Brandon Miller had 22 points. Coby White, after missing the team's Tuesday game night because of groin soreness, scored 11 points off the bench, while Miles Bridges and Kon Knueppel each finished with 10 points.
This was the first meeting between the teams since a February brawl in Charlotte that resulted in multiple ejections and suspensions. There was a dust-up between Robinson and Miller less than two minutes into the Friday game after Miller dunked and there was contact afterward upon his landing. Both players were assessed a technical foul.
It was a tight game for the most part through three quarters. The Pistons led 93-90 before starting the fourth with a 15-2 run that Charlotte couldn't overcome in its home finale. Duren scored six points and Huerter added five during the key surge.
Cunningham played in his second game since missing three weeks of action with a collapsed lung. He provided seven assists to go with his 7-for-13 shooting, though he was 0-for-3 on 3-point attempts in his 28-minute outing.
Detroit shot 50.6% from the field and benefited from Duren's game-high nine rebounds.
The Hornets attempted more than half of their 88 overall shots from beyond the 3-point arc, going 13-for-47 (27.7%). They committed 16 turnovers.
The Hornets finished with a 21-20 record in home games.