Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris, left, and Charlotte Hornets guard Vasilije Micic, right, fight for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Detroit . (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Tobias Harris scored 24 points with 10 rebounds and the Detroit Pistons defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets 98-94 in the NBA on Friday.
Cade Cunningham had 18 points for Detroit, which has won five of its last six games. Malik Beasley scored 12 points off the bench, Tim Hardaway Jr. added 11 and Jalen Duren added 10 with 14 rebounds.
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Detroit was playing its first game since starting point guard Jaden Ivey suffered a broken left fibula against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
READ: NBA: Pistons guard Jaden Ivey has broken leg surgery
Miles Bridges led Charlotte with 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Mark Williams had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets, who have lost nine straight and 17 of their last 18.
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Charlotte had hopes of ending its losing streak by holding a 65-52 halftime lead.
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The Hornets were clinging to a 47-46 lead, then finished the first half on an 18-6 run. They took advantage of Cunningham spending most of that stretch on the bench after committing his third foul. Seth Curry had a three-point play during the burst, and Bridges finished it off by picking up a pass and making a 31-foot 3-pointer as the halftime buzzer sounded.
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Bridges scored 14 points before halftime and Williams added 12.
READ: NBA: Pistons defeat Magic to achieve fourth victory in 5 games
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Detroit scored the first five points of the second half, including a 3-pointer by Harris, before Bridges and Curry hit 3-pointers to restore Charlotte’s double-digit lead.
With the score 73-61 at the beginning of the third quarter, the Pistons went on a 12-2 run that Duren started with a shot and finished with a dunk. Detroit took a 79-78 lead on Hardaway’s 3-pointer with 3:25 left in the quarter.
The Pistons ended the third on a 5-1 run, including a dunk by Harris, to take an 84-82 lead.
Up 86-85 with less than nine minutes remaining, the Pistons went on a 6-0 run that included two baskets from Harris. After the Hornets got within two points, Cunningham hit a mid-range jumper for a 94-90 lead with 3:10 left.
A Bridges turnover led to a Harris fastbreak layup for a 96-90 lead. A layup by Williams and two free throws by Josh Inexperienced brought Charlotte within two points.
Cunningham made two free throws with 19.3 seconds left. Duren then blocked a shot by KJ Simpson, but Detroit’s Ausar Thompson missed two free throws.
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Bridges missed a 3-point attempt and Hardaway clinched the Pistons’ victory with a free throw. –Media at field level
