Detroit just beat Charlotte 97-89 on Wednesday. The Hornets scored 89 points.
And now, five days later, we’re supposed to believe Charlotte has figured out how to beat the Pistons?
Maybe the home court helps. But I don’t see enough that’s changed.
Detroit is 5-1, Charlotte has lost three straight, and the Pistons have been playing the better defense. That’s where I’m starting.
The Pistons visit Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday, November 2, with tipoff at 7:30 PM ET. This is the second meeting of the season. Detroit won the first one by eight points, and I’m expecting another fairly low-scoring game. I couldn’t verify a current sportsbook line, so I’m taking Detroit to win and using a target total. Get into the action for the NBA season with our free NBA picks.
Detroit Pistons Have Been Winning With Defense
Detroit is 5-1, including a strong start away from home. The Pistons beat Charlotte 97-89 Wednesday, then went into Brooklyn Friday and won 110-94. That’s two straight games where the opponent didn’t reach 100 points. You can win a lot of basketball games playing defense like that.
The Pistons are averaging 109.8 points and allowing 101.8. That’s a much better defensive number than most teams have managed this early in the season. Detroit isn’t scoring 125 every night, but it hasn’t needed to. The Pistons have been controlling the glass, forcing difficult shots and making opponents work for everything. Charlotte found that out in the first meeting.
Cade Cunningham is averaging 22.2 points and 7.2 assists, and he scored 30 against Charlotte last Wednesday. That’s the kind of production that makes him the most important player in this matchup. He can create his own shot and get teammates involved when the defense collapses. Jalen Duren is out with a hamstring injury, which hurts Detroit’s size and rebounding, while Isaiah Joe has been dealing with a hip problem. Those absences matter, but the Pistons have still been defending well.
Charlotte Hornets Need More Than One Scorer
Charlotte is 3-4 and has lost three straight. The Hornets lost 97-89 to Detroit, then scored only 79 in a 95-79 defeat at Washington Friday. They followed with a 109-104 loss to Philadelphia Saturday. That’s three games where the offense never really found a comfortable rhythm.
The Hornets are averaging 98.3 points and allowing 106.4. That’s not enough offense to make me confident against Detroit. Charlotte has been struggling to get easy baskets, and the missing players have made things worse. The defense hasn’t been terrible, but it keeps getting asked to make up for long scoring droughts. Against a team that just held Charlotte to 89, that’s a tough assignment.
Brandon Miller is averaging 24.4 points, and he scored 31 in the first meeting with Detroit. So it’s not like the Hornets don’t have anybody who can score. Moussa Diabate is grabbing around 9.6 rebounds a game, and Dennis Schroder is averaging 5.4 assists. But Kon Knueppel, Coby White and Grant Williams are out, while Kylan Boswell is also unavailable. That’s a lot of missing help. Miller can have another big night and Charlotte could still struggle to reach 105.
Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Prediction
Detroit Pistons Moneyline
I’m taking Detroit. Charlotte is at home, and Miller already showed he can score against the Pistons. That’s the danger. But Detroit has been the better defensive team, and Cunningham gives the Pistons a dependable scorer who can take over late. The first meeting finished 97-89, and Detroit followed that by holding Brooklyn to 94. I don’t see Charlotte suddenly becoming an offensive powerhouse with the same injury problems. Give me the Pistons to win again.
Under 218.5 Points — Target Total
I’ll look Under 218.5 if that’s the number available. The first meeting produced only 186 points, and Charlotte has been struggling to score. Detroit has allowed fewer than 100 in its last two games, and the Pistons haven’t needed a fast pace to win. The concern is Charlotte shooting much better at home or Detroit getting easy transition baskets off turnovers. But I think this turns into another half-court game where both teams have to work for their points. Something like Detroit 108-101 would keep us Under.
Final Picks: Detroit Pistons Moneyline and Under 218.5 Points (target total)
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