Kemba Walker and Tony Parker combine to see Charlotte Hornets past Detroit Pistons
Monday 12 November 2018 16:14, UK
Kemba Walker piled up 24 points and eight assists while Tony Parker came off the bench to also score 24 as the Charlotte Hornets beat the Pistons 113-103 in Detroit on Sunday evening.
Cody Zeller contributed 14 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots for the visitors, while Jeremy Lamb chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Hornets, who lost Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
Andre Drummond recorded his fifth 20-20 game of the season with 23 points and 22 rebounds while Reggie Bullock supplied a career-high 23 points for Detroit, who had Blake Griffin ejected for a flagrant foul with 7:06 remaining after a shoulder check on Hornets guard Malik Monk.
After a tight first half which saw the Hornets go in 51-49 ahead, Charlotte then scored the first seven points of the second half to open up a nine-point lead.
Moments later, Walker forced a Drummond turnover and was then fouled on a three-point attempt and he made all three to give the Hornets a 71-59 lead.
A Marvin Williams three-pointer then made it a 15-point spread before a Pistons rally brought them back to 83-75 by the end of the third.
But once again, the Hornets came out flying at the start of a quarter, scoring the first eight points and when Parker hit a three the lead was up to 19.
Detroit chipped away in the closing minutes but never got close enough to threaten and claim the win and they dropped to 6-6 as Charlotte hopped above them to 7-6.
"I thought they were great tonight," said Charlotte coach James Borrego. "Their effort and their attention to detail were fantastic. I'm really proud of our group on both ends of the floor."
"We are our own worst enemies," said Pistons coach Dwane Casey. "We have to make shots and we have to stop getting caught out of position on defense. I'm going to have to make sure everyone understands our defensive assignments."
Of Blake's ejections, he added: "We're asking Blake to carry too much of a load right now," Casey said. "He's bringing the ball up the floor, then going into the post and getting hit on every shot. It's taking a toll on him."
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