The Charlotte Hornets don’t have to look very far to find the team that started their latest losing streak.
Unfortunately, that team is coming back to town.
Charlotte hosts the Detroit Pistons on Monday night at Spectrum Center, looking to snap a three-game skid and avenge last week’s 97-89 loss in Detroit.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with the Hornets entering at 3-4 and the Pistons riding a strong 5-1 start.
And if Charlotte hopes to avoid another defeat, somebody needs to help Brandon Miller put the ball in the basket.
Miller has been the Hornets’ most consistent offensive weapon, averaging 24.4 points and 6.1 rebounds through seven games. He exploded for 31 points and 12 rebounds against Detroit last Wednesday, but the rest of Charlotte’s offense struggled.
Dennis Schröder was the only other Hornet to score in double figures, finishing with 14 points.
More troubling was Charlotte’s inability to protect the basketball.
The Hornets committed 25 turnovers, allowing the Pistons to erase a seven-point halftime deficit and control the second half.
Detroit star Cade Cunningham scored 30 points and dished out seven assists, while Paul Reed contributed 16 points.
Charlotte led 51-44 at halftime before Detroit opened the third quarter with a decisive run, eventually pulling away.
Since that defeat, things haven’t improved.
The Hornets managed just 79 points in a 95-79 loss to Washington on Friday before falling 109-104 to Philadelphia on Saturday.
Charlotte is averaging only 98.3 points per game, the lowest scoring average in the NBA.
Help could finally be arriving.
Guard Coby White is expected to make his season debut Monday after missing the first seven games with a calf injury.
White’s return could provide much-needed scoring and ballhandling support, particularly with Charlotte struggling to generate consistent offense outside Miller.
However, the Hornets remain shorthanded.
Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams are sidelined with hamstring injuries, leaving coach Charles Lee without two important rotation pieces.
Detroit also has injury concerns.
Center Jalen Duren is out with a hamstring injury, while guard Isaiah Joe is questionable with a hip issue.
Duren’s absence could create an opportunity for Charlotte to attack the boards, where Moussa Diabaté has been productive, averaging 9.6 rebounds per game.
Naz Reid has added 15.9 points and 8.6 rebounds, giving the Hornets another potential scoring option.
But the biggest priority remains slowing Cunningham.
The Pistons guard is averaging 22.2 points and 7.2 assists, and his ability to control the tempo proved decisive in the first meeting.
Charlotte must limit turnovers, improve its three-point shooting and avoid another extended second-half scoring drought.
A victory would end the losing streak and provide a much-needed confidence boost before Wednesday’s trip to Brooklyn.
Another loss would leave the Hornets at 3-5 and facing mounting questions about their offensive consistency.
The Hornets have already shown they can compete with Detroit.
Now they need to prove they can finish the job.







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