Rolling Pistons make quick return to Charlotte
A little deja vu would suit the Detroit Pistons just fine Wednesday night.
Due to a scheduling quirk, the Pistons are playing in Charlotte for the second time in just over a week. The Pistons cruised to a 112-89 victory in the first meeting behind Tobias Harris' 24 points.
That win kicked off a quality stretch for the Pistons, who won for the fourth time in five games Tuesday by downing the Chicago Bulls 102-91 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
"It's good to get a win for every reason possible," Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy said after his team topped the Bulls. "You've got to get every one you can get, and certainly when you're heading on the road, it's even better."
Detroit gave away a 17-point lead to Chicago but outscored the Bulls 31-19 in the fourth quarter. The Pistons (12-11) bounced back from a loss to the visiting Orlando Magic on Sunday.
"Every game is important, but after dropping one at home, we definitely wanted to get this one," Detroit forward Jon Leuer said. "Guys had a sense of urgency to come up and bring the energy and bring the defensive effort. That's what helped us get the job done."
Point guard Reggie Jackson is questionable to play at Charlotte. He appeared in just his second game this season Tuesday after recovering from knee tendinitis, and he scored seven points in 18 minutes.
That decision on his status likely will be made Wednesday morning.
"There hasn't been a blanket statement that he won't play back-to-backs, but I also haven't gotten assurances that he will, either," Van Gundy said.
If Jackson sits, Ish Smith would start -- as he has most of the season -- and Beno Udrih would serve as the backup.
The Hornets (12-9) expect to have power forward Marvin Williams back in the lineup. He missed the past six games with a hyperextended left knee, but Charlotte went 4-2 in his absence.
"We miss him a lot in so many different areas," coach Steve Clifford said. "A lot of it is just his versatility defensively. But we've had enough to win."
That included a 109-101 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Guard Kemba Walker led a balanced attack with 19 points, and swingman Nicolas Batum contributed 14 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.
"The thing I liked is even when things weren't going our way on the road, they were very locked in and positive with each other in the huddles," Clifford said. "That's the way it has to be."
Clifford hopes that with his club at full strength, the Hornets can establish themselves as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
"That's why you'll see teams in these first 20 games not do as well (and then) will take off, because they'll develop that mentality that you need," he said. "Every team has a different intensity level, and they have to find it before they can play well consistently. Sometimes it takes 20 games, sometimes 15, sometimes longer."