Hornets at Pistons
Jose Calderon appears to fully be settled into his new surroundings with the Detroit Pistons. Fresh off his best performance since a trade from the Toronto Raptors, the Spanish point guard will try to steer the Pistons to a third straight win Monday against the visiting New Orleans Hornets. Despite opening the season with eight consecutive losses, the Pistons have turned things around to climb within 6 ½ games of a playoff spot.
The Hornets failed in their quest to win three straight games for just the second time this season, faltering in the fourth quarter of a 102-89 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. New Orleans won a season-high four in a row from Jan. 5-11. But the Hornets face an uphill battle in attempting to start another winning streak against the Pistons, as they have suffered losses in five of six road games.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit
ABOUT THE HORNETS (17-34): Coach Monty Williams had a simple explanation for his squad’s misfortunes Sunday. “We settled for too many jump shots tonight,” the coach told Hornets.com. “Sometimes that happens (and) we’ve made those shots (in past games). But tonight you had to recognize when they’re not going in.” Greivis Vasquez followed up his first career triple-double with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the loss, while No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis had just two points on 1-of-6 shooting.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (20-32): Calderon tied his season high with 23 points and added 10 assists in helping the Pistons to a 105-100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. It was his fourth game as a member of the Pistons. Charlie Villanueva, who broke a late tie with a 3-pointer, praised the steady play of his new point guard. "He's jelling. He's jelling," Villanueva said of Calderon. "He's a tremendous player. We're so glad he's on this team. Finding guys in the right places, very unselfish player."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Pistons C Greg Monroe didn’t earn an All-Star berth but he’s certainly playing like one, recording double-doubles in his past five games.
2. Hornets G Eric Gordon’s inconsistent scoring continued while tallying just six points on 2-of-7 shooting vs. Toronto.
3. The home team has won six straight meetings in the series (three wins apiece).