The Charlotte Hornets need to fix their ball-handling issues immediately. The loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night showed exactly what happens when the team turns the ball over too much. Cade Cunningham scored 30 points to lead Detroit to a 97-89 win. The Hornets simply could not stop the bleeding with their mistakes. It was a tough night for a young squad that needs to learn how to protect the rock.
Turnovers Cost Charlotte Everything
The numbers tell a clear story about why the Hornets lost. Charlotte turned the ball over 25 times while Detroit only had 14. That is a huge gap that no team can overcome easily. The Pistons forced eight turnovers in the third quarter alone. This surge helped Detroit start the period with a 16-5 run. The Hornets had built a lead earlier but could not hold it. The lack of ball security was the main reason the game slipped away.
Brandon Miller tried to keep the team in the hunt. He finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds for Charlotte. But his shooting struggles in the final period hurt the chances of a comeback. In the fourth quarter, Miller missed five out of his seven shots. Dennis Schroeder added 14 points but no other player reached double figures. The team needs more scoring depth if they want to win close games.
Second Quarter Struggles Defined the Loss
Charlotte looked good in the first half. The Hornets held a 51-44 lead at the break thanks to Miller’s 21 points. Neither team could hit shots consistently during the game. The Hornets did manage to grab six more second-chance points than Detroit. That small edge kept them ahead for a while. But the Pistons started the third quarter with a massive run that changed the flow. Four different Detroit players hit 3-pointers during that stretch.
The Pistons are now 4-1 on the season. They came off a big loss to New York on Tuesday but bounced back quickly. The Hornets need to figure out how to stop these runs. A team cannot win if they give up easy baskets and turn the ball over repeatedly. The loss to Detroit on Wednesday night is a clear warning. The young players must learn to handle the pressure better.
The Hornets will need to fix their defense and ball movement fast. The Pistons showed that they can score from anywhere on the floor. Charlotte cannot afford to play this sloppy again. The team must cut down on those 25 turnovers in the next game.
