The Charlotte Hornets (31-42) take on the visiting Detroit Pistons (28-45) at Time Warner Cable Arena. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Apr. 1 and will air on FSN-DET and SPSO.
The Hornets lost to the Celtics 116-104 on Monday. Kemba Walker recorded 28 points and 12 assists, earning his fourth double-double of the year. The Pistons, meanwhile, are coming off a 109-102 loss to the Heat on Sunday. Andre Drummond scored 32 points and recorded 14 rebounds earning his 41st double-double of the season.
Over the last five games, Drummond and Reggie Jackson have been on a tear for the Pistons. During that stretch, Drummond has averaged 20.2 points, 14.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.8 blocks. Not to be outdone, Jackson has put up 24.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.4 three-pointers.
The Pistons should minimize miscues in this matchup. They rank fifth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.0%). Meanwhile, the Hornets force the third-fewest mistakes in the league, with just 12.3% of opponents’ possessions ending in a turnover.
The two teams have split their matchups this season. The Hornets had the upper hand in the most recent game, a 108-101 win. Al Jefferson was a top performer in the victory with 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Hornets look to improve upon their records of 31-42 Straight Up (SU) and 35-36-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 23-21 SU and 23-19-2 ATS versus the Eastern Conference. Few teams in the league have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio than Charlotte, which ranks fourth at 1.85. An area where the Hornets are particularly strong is defensive rebounding where they average 34.3 defensive rebounds per game, fourth in the NBA.
On the other side, the Pistons head into the game with records of 36-37 ATS and 28-45 SU. Detroit has done particularly well ATS over its past 10 matchups, going 7-3. Detroit has not committed many turnovers, averaging only 12.6 per game.
Charlotte beat Detroit in their most recent meeting this season, evening up the two teams’ head-to-head record over the last 10 games. They are even bets ATS in their last 10 meetings as well. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Detroit held the edge in all three of these categories once in the last 10 meetings. Charlotte never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – DET, ATS Winner – DET
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte’s last 6 games.
Charlotte is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games.
Charlotte is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte’s last 5 games at home.
Charlotte is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte’s last 6 games when playing Detroit.
Charlotte is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte’s last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit.
Charlotte is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Detroit.
Charlotte is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit.
On average, Detroit puts up 98.4 points per game (ranked 19th), while Charlotte allows 97.4 points per game (ranked seventh).
Detroit ranks 22nd in points per away game with 96.2 points, while Charlotte ranks 11th in points allowed at home with 97.3.
When giving up fewer than 100 points, Detroit has a 21-16 record. When Charlotte scores fewer than 100, they are a losing 11-32.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Pistons are just 7-29 this season. Charlotte is a solid 20-10 when registering triple digits.
The Pistons have an offensive rating of 102.2 (ranked 16th), while the Hornets rank seventh for their defensive rating of 100.5.
The Charlotte Hornets average a field goal percentage of 42.4% this season. The Detroit Pistons have a poor record of 19-38 when opponents have a FG% of 42.4% or greater.
Charlotte averages 18.7 three point attempts per game, and Detroit attempts 25.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Hornets have an underachieving 2-4 record while the Pistons have a 15-21 record.
Charlotte ranks near the top of the league with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.85 (ranked fourth). Detroit is ranked 10th, with an A/TO of 1.70.
The Detroit Pistons are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, earning 45.2 rebounds per game (ranked fourth). The Charlotte Hornets rank ninth, rebounding 44.3 times each contest.
Charlotte ranks among the best in the league in defensive rebounding at fourth, while Detroit is one of the top teams in offensive rebounding (ranked first).
Detroit has forced an average turnover rate of 14.0% this season. In games where their turnover rate is 14.0% or higher, Charlotte is an even 8-8.
