Are the Charlotte Hornets for real? They’ve won 17 of their past 21 games and are closing in on first place in the Southeast Division and third place in the East. The Hornets beat the Pistons both times this season by a combined 35 points, but play for the first time in the Motor City.
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SCHEDULING
The Hornets are playing inspired basketball as they search for their first playoff appearance in two years. Charlotte came back from 23 down to knock of San Antonio on Monday night and didn’t let that stunning victory affect them. Playing the lowly Nets on Tuesday, the Hornets survived for their fourth win in the last five games and 11th in the past 13. Going back even further, the Hornets are 17-4 in their past 21 games. The bulk of that work came at home, now Charlotte plays eight of its remaining 11 on the road. The Hornets are just a half-game out of the third spot in the East and must continue their run of recent success away from home. Charlotte is 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in their past 10 road games, but just 14-19 SU overall.
The Pistons are in a battle with the Chicago Bulls for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and improved to 3-1 on a nine-game homestand with Monday’s dramatic victory over Milwaukee. For a team fighting for the final playoff berth, the Pistons have been good at the Palace, going 10 games over .500 following Monday night’s win. Now would be the time for Detroit to make a move up the conference standings.
INJURIES
Charlotte forward Marvin Williams missed a game for the first time this season when he sat Monday against Brooklyn with a sprained left ankle. Coach Steve Clifford said he hopes Williams will return for Friday’s game. Rookie Frank Kaminsky made his first career start in place of Williams.
The major elements of the Pistons are all relatively healthy at this point. The club has moved on from Jodie Meeks, who is likely done for the year after playing just two games, and Spencer Dinwiddie, who hasn’t played in a game since mid-December.
KEY MATCHUP
Since coming over from Orlando last month, forward Tobias Harris has been a key contributor to the Detroit Pistons’ push toward the playoffs. Detroit acquired Harris in a move intended to provide a proven scorer for the season’s playoff push and a young building block for the future. Now on his third team in five seasons, Harris turns 24 in July. Harris averaged a career-best 17.1 points last season. That slipped to 13.7 in 49 games before the trade, but he’s averaging 16.6 points and shooting nearly 38 percent from three-point range in 17 games with Detroit. More importantly, the Pistons are 10-5 since Harris joined the starting lineup Feb. 22 and averaging 104.2 points per game. Harris requires little attention on the offensive end of the court. He’s able to create his own shot off the dribble and shows no hesitation at attacking the rim.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Everything about the past several games illustrates the Hornets’ strengths and flaws. When they stick to the plan and, according to Clifford, “play with purpose,” they are capable of beating the Spurs and taking down the Heat in Miami. But if they get sloppy and lack energy, they are totally capable of losing to a lottery team like Denver at home. It’s been a remarkable run for Charlotte, winning 17 of the last 21 games and climbing within spitting distance of third place in the Eastern Conference, but they haven’t convinced me they are ready for anything more than a first-round playoff appearance. The Pistons are a good home team, which has kept them in the hunt for one of the remaining playoff spots. They suffered two beatdowns in Charlotte earlier this season and look for some payback while trying to make a move in the standings.
Detroit 108, Charlotte 103
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