PREVIEW: The Detroit Pistons defeated the Charlotte Hornets 118-100, with Jalen Duren recording 20 points and Duncan Robinson adding 19 , showcasing the depth that has propelled Detroit to the top of the Eastern Conference. The Pistons boast elite rim defense ranked first in the league while also leading in turnover creation , two defensive anchors that make them exceptionally difficult to beat in the playoff race. Charlotte counters with high-volume three-point shooting at 48.6% frequency, ranked second in the NBA, paired with efficient free throw shooting at 81.8% , giving them multiple ways to score when their perimeter shots are falling. The teams exchanged leads 11 times through the third quarter before Detroit surged with a dominant 24-8 run to seize control late in the game. With the top seed already clinched, Detroit still deployed its regular starters against Charlotte , signaling their commitment to maintaining momentum heading into the postseason. The Hornets' defensive rebounding struggles, ranked 29th, stand in sharp contrast to their elite offensive rebounding, creating inconsistency on that end of the floor , while their low three-point attempt frequency at 29th in the league limits their volume game. Cade Cunningham chipped in 14 points in his return from injury, with Ronald Holland and Ausar Thompson combining for 25 more points to provide Detroit with balanced scoring. LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 27 points and eight assists while Brandon Miller contributed 22 points, but their supporting cast couldn't generate enough offense to overcome Detroit's suffocating defense.