DETROIT (Interstat) — Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Detroit Pistons dominated the Charlotte Hornets 112-86 on Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons seized control with a 33-point first quarter and never trailed, leading by as many as 30. All five Detroit starters scored in double figures, with Jalen Duren adding 19 points and 11 rebounds. The Hornets, who shot just 31.5% from the field, were led by Kon Knueppel and Miles Bridges with 19 points each. Detroit improved to 22-6 with its seventh win in nine games, while Charlotte fell to 9-19.

DETROIT (Interstat) — Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Detroit Pistons used a dominant first quarter to set the tone in a 112-86 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons, winners of seven of their last nine games, improved their league-leading record to 22-6. The Hornets fell to 9-19 with the loss, their second in three games following a brief two-game winning streak. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the opening period, where Detroit established a commanding lead from which Charlotte never recovered. The Pistons raced out to a 33-27 lead after one quarter, a margin built not on outside shooting but on relentless interior pressure and defensive activity. Detroit shot just 6 for 28 from three-point range for the game, but compensated by outscoring Charlotte 58-38 in the paint and converting 24 of 32 free throw attempts. Cunningham orchestrated the victory efficiently, notching his triple-double in just 36 minutes before joining the starters on the bench for the final four minutes as the game was out of reach. His performance marked his third double-double in the last four games, continuing an All-Star caliber stretch for the Pistons’ floor general. Jalen Duren provided a powerful inside presence with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Tobias Harris scored 16. All five Pistons starters finished in double figures, including Duncan Robinson with 15 and Ausar Thompson with 14. Thompson also contributed four of Detroit’s 11 blocked shots, part of a stifling defensive effort that held Charlotte to 31.5% shooting from the field. The Hornets, who entered the game with the league’s 29th-ranked offensive rating, struggled mightily against Detroit’s defense. Charlotte posted an offensive rating of just 77.8, committing 23 turnovers that led to 27 Pistons points. Kon Knueppel led Charlotte with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Miles Bridges also scored 19, but the Hornets’ offense never found a consistent rhythm outside of a brief third-quarter push. After trailing by 16 at halftime, Charlotte showed a flicker of life early in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 10 points on a few occasions. However, the Pistons responded with a 12-2 run, capped by an Ausar Thompson dunk off a Cunningham assist with 7:25 left in the period, to push the lead back to 74-58 and effectively end any threat of a comeback. Detroit then put the game fully out of reach with a 33-point fourth quarter, their highest-scoring period of the night, as the Hornets managed only 14 points on 4-of-22 shooting in the final 12 minutes. The Pistons dominated the glass, outrebounding Charlotte 62-48, including a 17-11 edge on the offensive boards that led to 19 second-chance points. Detroit’s defense was particularly disruptive, recording 16 steals and forcing 23 Charlotte turnovers. The game drew a crowd of 20,062 to Little Caesars Arena. Detroit now embarks on a five-game Western Conference road trip beginning Monday in Portland. Charlotte continues its road swing Monday in Cleveland.

Preview: Hornets at Pistons DETROIT (Interstat) — The surging Detroit Pistons, owners of the NBA’s best record, look to bounce back from a narrow loss when they host the struggling Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons (21-6) fell 116-114 at Dallas on Thursday, snapping a three-game winning streak. Despite the loss, All-Star guard Cade Cunningham continued his stellar play, finishing just shy of a triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Detroit has been dominant at home this season and remains among the Eastern Conference elite, powered by Cunningham’s averages of 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists over his last 10 games. Charlotte (9-18) arrives with momentum from a 133-126 home victory over Atlanta on Thursday. Rookie guard Kon Knueppel led the way with 28 points and seven assists, while LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller each added 28 points. The win was a bright spot in a challenging season, but the Hornets have lost eight of their last 12. Knueppel has been a revelation for Charlotte, averaging 21.8 points and 5.0 assists over his last 10 contests, including three 30-point performances. His emergence alongside Ball and Miller gives the Hornets a potent offensive trio, but their defense remains a persistent issue. Detroit’s balance presents a major challenge. Alongside Cunningham, center Jalen Duren is averaging a double-double, and the Pistons rank among the league’s top offenses. They won the only meeting between the teams last season. The game kicks off a three-game road trip for Charlotte, while it is the finale of a brief two-game homestand for Detroit before they embark on a lengthy six-game Western Conference road trip. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST.