The Detroit Pistons and the Charlotte Hornets continued their brewing rivalry on Friday. In the last meeting between the two teams last month, a fight involving four players marred the game. Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges and Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart received multi-game suspensions for the brawl.
On Friday, it was Brandon Miller and Duncan Robinson’s turn to ramp up the intensity when the two teams shared the floor. A shoving match between Miller and Robinson prompted reactions from fans.
One fan wrote:
“Need that 1v8 matchup.”
Another fan added:
“I really hope we get this series in the first round.”
One more fan continued:
“1-8 matchup, pls.”
Another fan commented:
“Well, that didn’t take long.”
One fan tweeted:
“Moussa and Duren first two to tell em to chill. lmao. I need this series.”
The series fans have been clamoring for could happen in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Detroit is already assured of the No. 1 seed, while Charlotte, currently the No. 9 team, could end up in the play-in tournament. If Brandon Miller and Co. earn the No. 8 seed, an intriguing showdown with the top-seeded team will give fans what they want.
Friday’s skirmish happened early in the first quarter after Miller completed an alley-oop dunk off a pass from LaMelo Ball. Charlotte’s young star hung on the rim before landing hard on Robinson, who reacted by pushing Miller. The antagonists traded shoves before Jalen Duren stepped to separate the two. Moussa Diabate also came in to hold back his teammate.
Isaiah Stewart, who received a seven-game suspension for the brawl in the last encounter, stood near the Pistons’ bench intently watching the exchange. In the previous meeting, Stewart bolted out of the sidelines to put Miles Bridges in a headlock.
Pistons Refusing To Help Hornets’ Playoff Push
The Detroit Pistons could have rested their starters, as they are securely entrenched at the top of the Eastern Conference. Surprisingly, coach J.B. Bickerstaff has his best players on the floor in a road game with no incentive to win.
After two quarters of back-and-forth action, the Pistons took a 68-65 lead. Robinson and Duren combined for 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Cade Cunningham, playing his second game after returning from a collapsed lung, added eight points, five assists and one rebound.
LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 20 first-half points, four assists and three rebounds. Brandon Miller added 11 points and three assists.
A win by the Pistons will not affect their playoff status, but a loss by the Hornets will make a play-in appearance almost guaranteed.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball and college baseball.
