Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions January 3rd 2025

Pistons Look to Regroup Without Jaden Ivey Against Struggling Hornets

The Detroit Pistons will face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night with heavy hearts and a key piece of their backcourt missing. After a serious injury to Jaden Ivey during their win over Orlando, the Pistons are tasked with moving forward and maintaining their recent momentum.

Pistons’ Adjustment Without Ivey

Jaden Ivey, Detroit’s second-leading scorer at 17.6 points per game, suffered a broken left fibula in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s win. The injury has left a significant void in the Pistons’ rotation. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff described the incident as emotionally challenging for the team.

Ivey’s absence means increased responsibilities for Cade Cunningham, who leads Detroit with 23.8 points per game, and second-year guard Marcus Sasser, who is expected to step into an expanded role. Sasser’s ability to adapt quickly will be crucial as the Pistons face a challenging stretch of games, including a back-to-back against the Hornets and Timberwolves.

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Cunningham spoke about the team’s focus post-injury:
“We wanted to make sure everybody was on the same page and know who we were doing it for. We wanted to start the year off right, and now we’ll play with Jaden in our minds.”

Hornets’ Struggles Continue

The Charlotte Hornets arrive in Detroit amid an eight-game losing streak and a larger slump that has seen them lose 16 of their last 17 games. Injuries have compounded their struggles, with rookie Brandon Miller (ankle) and star guard LaMelo Ball (ankle and wrist) both listed as questionable.

Despite their record, the Hornets have been competitive against the Pistons this season, winning both prior meetings in dramatic fashion. Miller was the hero in both games, including a game-winning putback in November and a career-high 38 points in their overtime victory later that month.

Charlotte has shown flashes of improvement recently, pushing the Chicago Bulls to overtime on Monday before falling 115-108. Forward Miles Bridges emphasized the team’s recent competitiveness:
“We’ve been playing better. We just have to continue to compete and give ourselves a chance.”

Veteran guard Seth Curry has been a bright spot in recent games, contributing 29 points over the last two contests. His experience and scoring ability could provide a needed spark against Detroit.

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Key Matchups and Storylines

• Cade Cunningham vs. Hornets’ Defense: Cunningham will need to shoulder even more of the scoring and playmaking load in Ivey’s absence. His ability to navigate Charlotte’s defensive schemes will be critical.
• Pistons’ Depth: With Ivey sidelined, Detroit’s bench, led by Sasser and other reserves, must step up to maintain the team’s recent strong play.
• Hornets’ Injury Report: The availability of Miller and Ball remains uncertain. Without them, Charlotte will rely heavily on Miles Bridges and Seth Curry to generate offense.

Prediction

The Pistons have shown resilience recently, winning four of their last five games, and will be motivated to rally around Ivey’s absence. Meanwhile, the Hornets’ inconsistent play and injury concerns could make it difficult for them to overcome Detroit on the road.