Pistons rally to defeat Hornets in overtime
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope poured in 33 points, including 27 after halftime, and the Detroit Pistons rallied from an 18-point, second-half deficit to down the Charlotte Hornets 114-108 in overtime on Thursday night at The Palace.
Tobias Harris fired in 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Pistons (28-30), who handed the Hornets (24-33) their fifth straight loss overall and 12th straight on the road. Detroit also clinched the season series, 3-1.
Ish Smith tied his career high with 16 assists and Marcus Morris added 16 points and eight rebounds for Detroit.
Kemba Walker's 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists led the Hornets. Nicolas Batum had 18 points and six rebounds, Frank Kamisky scored 17 points and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist tossed in 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for Charlotte.
Caldwell-Pope, who scored 11 fourth-quarter points, opened the scoring in overtime with a baseline jumper. Morris drained a 3 to make it a five-point spread. The Hornets didn't score in the extra session until Kidd-Gilchrist's layup with 1:59 left.
Morris answered with a jumper. Caldwell-Pope then put on the finishing touches with a 3 after Harris' offensive rebound and kickout.
The Hornets maintained the double-digit advantage throughout the third quarter and carried an 85-70 lead into the fourth.
Detroit used a smaller lineup to start the quarter with a 17-4 run.
Batum finally responded with a bucket. Caldwell-Pope hit 3s on back-to-back possessions to pull the Pistons within one, 96-95.
Caldwell-Pope then missed a potential go-ahead jumper and Walker fired in a basket from the top of the key with 44.8 seconds left. Caldwell-Pope's dunk made it a one-point game again.
Walker hit another jumper from the wing with 20.7 seconds for a 100-97 Charlotte edge. Off an inbounds play, Caldwell-Pope finally tied it with another 3-pointer.
The Hornets worked the ball to Marco Belinelli for open shot from the wing but it fell short, sending the game into overtime.
The Hornets finished the first half on a 24-9 run to gain a 62-50 halftime lead.
NOTES: Hornets C Cody Zeller missed his fourth straight game with quad soreness. Backup Miles Plumlee (strained right calf) was also unavailable. ... The Pistons stood pat at the trade deadline despite a host of rumors involving C Andre Drummond, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and PG Reggie Jackson. "(GM) Jeff (Bower) talked to a lot of people. We've made no secret of that," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We placed a high value on our guys. You don't want to get that 'Deal Fever' where you just want to make a deal so bad, you make a bad one." ... Charlotte has posted a 52-36 record after the All-Star break in coach Steve Clifford's first three seasons. ... The Hornets' last road victory came against Orlando (120-101) on Dec. 28. ... Drummond recorded his 38th double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds.