Detroit — There’s a reason those role players are there. They’re not going to lead the team every game, but when they do, it’s a big boost.
The Pistons needed their secondary players, after leading scorers Andre Drummond and Tobias Harris each picked up three fouls in the second quarter.
The Pistons never got on track, offensively or defensively, from there.
BOX SCORE: Hornets 118, Pistons 107
The Charlotte Hornets took advantage of the soft interior defense, surging in the third quarter with a 34-24 advantage and taking a 118-107 victory over the Pistons in a Monday matinee at Little Caesars Arena.
Reggie Bullock had 20 points, Anthony Tolliver 17 and Harris had half of his 20 points in the fourth quarter during a furious rally for the Pistons (22-20).
The Hornets had their largest lead, 106-88, with 4:57 left, after a 15-3 run — with seven points from Kemba Walker (20 points, nine assists) — Harris hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Avery Bradley (15 points) added another 3-pointer, pulling the Pistons within nine. Dwight Howard (21 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks) answered with a lay-in and Nicolas Batum (14 points, 8 rebounds and five assists) hit a pair of free throws and the lead was back to 13.
The Hornets (17-25) never let the lead get back under seven the rest of the way and won their fifth in the last seven games. Charlotte trailed, 56-50, at halftime, but exploded for 68 points in the second half, including a 12-2 run midway through the third quarter.
The Pistons closed within 84-80 at the end of the quarter after Tolliver hit a 3-pointer and Jeremy Lamb (11 points) hit a pair of free throws with 1.4 seconds left.
Marvin Williams had a season-best 21 points, including five 3-pointers.
Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard