Pistons @ Hornets

Who will WIN this matchup?

Detroit Pistons (15-14)

@ Charlotte Hornets (15-15)

Current odds:

Detroit Pistons: (+160)

Charlotte Hornets: (-180)

• The line for this game is Charlotte by 4.5 points.

• The Detroit Pistons snapped a four-game road losing streak with a 129-123 overtime victory at Minnesota on Wednesday and will try to make it back-to-back victories when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. One of those four consecutive road losses came at Charlotte on Dec. 12, when the Pistons dropped a 108-107 heartbreaker. Detroit looked ready for a fifth straight road setback while trailing by 14 points in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, but star forward Blake Griffin scored 18 of his 34 points in the fourth to force overtime and help pull out the win.
• The Hornets began a five-game homestand with that Dec. 12 victory over Detroit and knocked off Cleveland 110-99 on Wednesday to give themselves a chance at a winning record on the homestand after falling to New York and the Los Angeles Lakers.

• Griffin buried 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter and finished 13-of-22 from the floor in 42 minutes despite dealing with the flu earlier in the day. “He gave it everything,” Casey told reporters. “Here’s a guy who had IVs and everything throughout the day cause of the flu; he gave it everything. I mean he hit some big three’s when he was trying to fight back and scratch back, but he played a hell of a game to be sick.” Drummond – a career 17.6-percent 3-point shooter – knocked down a 3-pointer at the end of a broken possession in overtime and finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

• Charlotte star guard Kemba Walker broke out for 30 points on 11-of-26 shooting in Wednesday’s win after totaling 20 points on 8-of-33 in the previous two contests. “I was just being aggressive and trying not to get too frustrated,” Walker told reporters. “I’ve been missing a lot and been a little bit off shooting the basketball. I just wanted to stay aggressive, trust in my work and tonight some shots fell. It wasn’t the best night shooting, but I’ll take the win any way I can get it.” Backcourt mate Jeremy Lamb added 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the victory.

• Pistons SG Reggie Bullock scored a career-high 33 points on Wednesday.

• Hornets PF Marvin Williams recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds Wednesday after going scoreless in Saturday’s loss to the Lakers.

• Charlotte is enjoying a four-game winning streak in the series.