By Joel Bartilotta, Rotowire
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 87-82, in the Orlando Summer League at Amway Center on Wednesday.
This was a tight game throughout, with four ties and 11 lead changes in total. A 15-3 run in the fourth quarter was the difference for Detroit (3-1), as it gave them their largest lead of the game, and one that Charlotte (2-2) was never able to surmount. While they didn’t dominate any particular statistic, the Pistons ended up winning the shooting, rebounding, assists, steals, blocks and turnover differentials, each by a small margin.
Johnny O’Bryant III was a force for the Hornets, as he led the team with 26 points and four rebounds on 10-of-18 shooting. Rookie Dwayne Bacon finished with 14 points and four rebounds, while former Virginia standout Anthony Gill tallied 15 points and four rebounds of his own.
Last year’s first-round pick, Henry Ellenson was the player of the game for Detroit, as he racked up 29 points and six rebounds. Pierre Jackson amassed 15 points, six assists and two steals, and 2017 first-rounder, Luke Kennard, totaled 14 points, five rebounds and two steals.
The win secured a championship berth for the Pistons, and they’ll match up with the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. The Hornets finished fifth and will likely play the Orlando Magic in Thursday’s five/six-seed matchup.
