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Grades: Detroit Pistons fall short to Charlotte Hornets

By Ryan Love

Dec 7, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Nicolas Batum (5) drives to the basket as he is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Hornets win 87-77. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Nicolas Batum (5) drives to the basket as he is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Hornets win 87-77. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons (12-12) could not hang with the Charlotte Hornets (13-9) down the stretch Wednesday night in Charlotte. The Pistons lose 87-77 to the Hornets, snapping their three game away winning streak.

The Detroit Pistons (12-12) fell just short to the Charlotte Hornets (13-9)  87-77 Wednesday night in Charlotte. Points were at a premium all night for both squads until the Hornets managed to find the bottom of the basket in the fourth quarter.

The Pistons shot only 38 percent for the game, actually four percent higher than the Hornets. However, the Pistons defense was not able to force many turnovers, and therefore could not generate much offense on fast breaks.

The Pistons are now 2-4 on the second night of back-to-backs this season. Games with stat lines like this one usually reflect the fatigue that comes with no days of rest. There were plenty of shots that went up and shot off the front of the rim, or missed it completely; that is usually the sign of tired legs.

The Hornets struggled offensively for most of the game as well. It was not until the fourth quarter that Kemba Walker and Marco Belinelli came to life and buried the Pistons. Walker finished with a team high 25 points, and Belinelli added 13 points off the bench.

And here are your player grades for the Pistons:

Detroit Pistons. ANDRE DRUMMOND. A-. <a rel=. C

C-. <a rel=. PG. Detroit Pistons. REGGIE JACKSON

D+. <a rel=. SG. Detroit Pistons. KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE

D. Stan Van Gundy said <a rel=. SF. Detroit Pistons. MARCUS MORRIS

C-. <a rel=. PF. Detroit Pistons. TOBIAS HARRIS

D. Reggie Jackson got the start tonight so <a rel=. PG. Detroit Pistons. ISH SMITH

D. <a rel=. PF. Detroit Pistons. JON LEUER

DARRUN HILLIARD. D+. <a rel=. SG. Detroit Pistons

C. Stan Van Gundy could only control so much Wednesday night. His team simply could not knock down open shots and they did not score a single point on the fast break. In his postgame interview he may have suggested that the Pistons were not receiving their fair share of foul calls, only attempting eight free throws as opposed to 29 attempts by the Hornets. Fatigue and the illness that befell Morris are things Van Gundy cannot control, but ultimately led to this loss.. Head Coach. Detroit Pistons. STAN VAN GUNDY

The Pistons will look to bounce back Friday in Minneapolis against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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