THE Hornets quickly took the lead in this meeting, through Brandon Miller, skillful behind the arc twice. The second choice in the 2023 Draft lays the foundations for a record evening for him, helped by good passes from LaMelo Ball. Tobias Harris also got into his match by defeating Grant Williams at mid-distance, then responding from afar. Three times, Cade Cunningham easily gets his bearings in the Hornets racket and Pistons are only six points away (33-27).
Malik Beasley shoots behind the arc, accompanied by Caleb Martin who finds the target under the arc. The Pistons get back together, but Brandon Miller is uncompromising at 3-points and makes two goals. The aggressiveness of Cade Cunningham allows the Pistons to get back together, but LaMelo Ball lets his imagination speak with a shot not far from the logo and a clever “reverse lay-up” to allow the Hornets to finish in front at the break (63-59) .
The Pistons comeback
At the restart, LaMelo Ball continues to be skillful with his “drives” and “floaters” and Brandon Miller does it again at 3-points, giving the Hornets a ten-point lead. The activity of Isaiah Stewart under the circle and the distant address of Malik Beasley in this third quarter (2/4) are quickly showered by a new insane shot from LaMelo Ball off balance of the logo, to give 20 points advance in Charlotte (89-69). The Hornets finally finished with a cushion of 14 points before entering the last period.
But the Pistons do not relax and through Stewart, then Simone Fontecchio at 3-points, Detroit comes back to ten points. Brandon Miller continues his work behind the arc and Harris responds twice, well found by Cunningham in the corner. The number 1 of the 2021 Draft puts himself at the service of his team (10 assists) and the Pistons come back to 2 points (105-107). One minute from the end of the match, it was Jaden Ivey who stood out to equalize. LaMelo Ball thinks he has the match point, but his floater crashes into the hoop: 107 – 107. Overtime at the Spectrum Center!
Brandon Miller on fire
The Hornets enter this overtime without LaMelo Ball, out for six fouls. Pistons side, big handicap too since they lose Cade Cunningham hit in the hip. Tobias Harris (6/9 at 3-points) puts the Pistons in front but Brandon Miller scores his 7th, then his 8th distant shot of the evening! THE momentum leans towards the Hornets, Martin sharply against Wendell Moore Jr before Tre Mann scores a well-inspired lay-up. Jaden Ivey revives his team by being skillful from afar and then at mid-distance. There are 5 seconds left, and at -2, the back tries to recover his ball on the throw line by aiming for the slice, but chance does not choose Detroit and the confused battle for the rebound allows the buzzer to sound. 123 – 121, Hornets victory!
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Double record for Brandon Miller! By scoring 38 points, the sophomore winger beat his career record in points (35 points against Indiana, February 2024). The former Alabama star player does the same at 3-points, with 8 shots converted for 12 attempted.
– Second start and a record for Moussa Diabaté. With Miles Bridges and Nick Richards absent, the Frenchman was started for the second time in his career. By grabbing 16 rebounds (7 offensive, 9 defensive), Moussa Diabaté was hyperactive under the circle and set a new career record in the field. His French teammate Tidjane Salaün scored 7 points in 13 minutes of play.
– Cade Cunningham strong, but injured. With 27 points and 10 assists, the leader was unable to play overtime following hip pain after contact at the very end of the fourth quarter.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
