Hornets at Pistons
Dwane Casey is trying to build a team that can withstand an off night from one of its superstars thanks to the depth of its roster, and it looks like he's making progress in that regard. Casey and the Detroit Pistons will try to push their winning streak to three straight when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Casey praised the play of his second unit after a 103-96 win at Orlando on Wednesday and watched as the reserves took charge again in Friday's 124-109 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks, with small forward Stanley Johnson leading the way. "He did a solid job in that role off the bench, one, defensively. That's what we need," Casey told reporters after Johnson's 22-point, three-steal effort in Atlanta. "The shooting is gravy. He hit some shots and that's not why I thought he was solid. I thought his defensive attention to detail was good." Johnson will likely be one of several defenders Casey throws at Hornets star guard Kemba Walker, who collected 30 points and nine assists on Friday as Charlotte fell just short with a 133-132 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Hornets are displaying the depth of their roster as well and watched four reserves score in double figures in the setback.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), FS Detroit
ABOUT THE HORNETS (6-6): Charlotte overcame a 21-point, third-quarter deficit in Friday's loss and coach James Borrego was impressed with his team's effort after the break. "We just played harder, with more energy, with more purpose out there, more pace (after halftime)," Borrego told reporters. "I think there was just more aggressiveness in the second half overall." The Hornets found some balance on offense Friday, with centers Willy Hernangomez and Cody Zeller combining for 28 points to support the guard-heavy attack.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (6-5): Detroit star forward Blake Griffin scored a season-low six points on Friday, but the team still cruised to the win behind the play of the reserves and starting center Andre Drummond. Drummond collected 23 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in the win and is averaging 19.3 points and 16.1 boards. "He's playing as well as any big man I've been around," Casey told reporters of Drummond. "Running the floor, blocking shots, protecting the rim and not having one play called for him. That's so important to have players like that who are unselfish."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Pistons SG Langston Galloway is 13-of-26 from 3-point range over the last three games.
2. Hornets SG Jeremy Lamb (groin) left Friday's game and is questionable for Sunday.
3. Charlotte took two of the three meetings last season and Walker averaged 20.3 points in the contests.