Charlotte Hornets vs. Detroit Pistons Picks and Prediction for Saturday, December 20, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s an Eastern Conference tilt on the parquet floor in the Motor City as the Charlotte Hornets clash with the Detroit Pistons Saturday night and we have things covered with our Hornets vs. Pistons prediction. Charlotte dropped Atlanta 133-126 at home Thursday night in their previous game, covering the line as a 2.5-point favorite. Detroit fell 116-114 in overtime on the road to Dallas in their previous game Thursday night, losing outright as a 1.5-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, each team has recorded 66 victories but the Pistons have won two straight meetings, including a 112-102 home win in the most recent meeting February 9. Read more about this Hornets vs. Pistons prediction! No air balls here—only slam dunks with our NBA Picks!
Hornets Shooting for Third Straight Win
Charlotte earned a second straight upset win as they followed up an overtime road win over Cleveland by downing the Hawks at home Thursday. The Hornets entered Friday 9-18 on the year and stood fourth in the Southeast Division, six games behind the Magic for the top spot. Against Atlanta, Charlotte was hot from the perimeter and it proved critical in the contest. The Hornets jumped in front 8-0 out of the gate and led the rest of the way, leading by as many as 24 en route to the win. Charlotte shot 53.8% from the floor, including 24 of 49 from three-point range, and overcame 16 turnovers in the contest. LaMelo Ball (13 assists) and Kon Knueppel (seven assists, three steals) each had 28 points to lead the Hornets in the victory.
On the season, the Hornets are 18th in the league in scoring offense with 115.5 points per game. Charlotte is 17th in the league in rebounding as they collect 44.2 boards per contest and 15th in assists with 26.1 dimes per contest. The Hornets are 24th in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 118.7 points per game. LaMelo Ball (19.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 8.8 assists) is one of the team’s top scoring threats. Miles Bridges (21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists) and Brandon Miller (18.2 points, 3.9 assists) are solid contributors on the offensive end of the floor. Collin Sexton (15.5 points, 4.2 assists), Kon Knueppel (19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds), Moussa Diabate (8.2 points, 7.5 rebounds), Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James, Tidjuan Salaun, Tre Mann (9.2 points), Pat Connaughton, Mason Plumlee and Liam McNeeley are looked to provide rotational depth for the Hornets. Charlotte is 23rd in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 45.8% from the field as a team. The Hornets are 6th in threes per game with 14.4 per contest and 17th in three-point field goal percentage by shooting 35.4% from beyond the arc. Charlotte is above average in free throw shooting, ranking 5th by converting 81.7% of their attempts this season.
Key Injury Report for Hornets:
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- Forward Grant Williams (knee) is out.
- Guard Pat Connaughton (calf) is questionable.
- Guard Collin Sexton (thigh) is doubtful.
- Guard Tre Mann (knee) is probable.
Detroit Seek to Start New Win Streak
Detroit had won four straight and six of their previous seven games before falling a bucket short against the Mavericks on the road Thursday. The Pistons entered Friday 21-6 and held a seven-game lead on the Cavaliers for the top spot in the Central Division standings. Against Dallas, Detroit trailed by five after the opening quarter, by nine at the half, by as many as 18 in the game and by 12 after three quarters before rallying to force overtime. In the extra session, the Pistons ran out of steam, scoring just four points and going scoreless over the final 1:49 to wind up with the loss. Detroit shot 38.5% from the floor, including six of 33 from beyond the arc, negating a 62-51 advantage on the glass in the contest. Cade Cunningham had 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Pistons in a losing effort.
On the year, the Pistons are 10th in the league in scoring offense as they average 119.1 points a game. Detroit is 2nd in rebounding with an average of 46.8 boards per contest and 14th in assists by dishing out 26.2 dimes a night. The Pistons are 7th in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 113.1 points per contest. Cade Cunningham leads the way offensively for the Pistons with 27.2 points plus 6.2 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game. Ronald Holland II, Ausar Thompson (11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists) and Isaiah Stewart (10.4 points, six rebounds) are good secondary scoring options. Jalen Duren (18 points, 11 rebounds), Tobias Harris (13.4 points, five rebounds), Tolu Smith, Duncan Robinson (11.9 points), Caris LeVert, Jaden Ivey, Paul Reed, Daniss Jenkins, Javonte Green and Chaz Lanier are looked at to be contributors for coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Detroit is 11th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 48% from the floor as a team. The Pistons are 28th in the league in threes per game as they hit 11.1 triples per contest while they are 21st in three-point percentage as they connect on 35% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Detroit is below average at the charity stripe, ranking 28th by shooting 74.7% at the line as a team.
Key Injury Report for Pistons:
- Forward Bobi Klintman (ankle) is out.
- Guard Caris LeVert (illness) is questionable.
- Forward Duncan Robinson (knee) is probable.
Hornets vs. Pistons Pick
Hornets vs. Pistons Spread Pick
- Pistons -9.5 (4 units)
Charlotte has pulled out a pair of surprising wins after downing Cleveland and Atlanta. Things are tougher here with as well as the Pistons have played this season, especially since the Hornets are the visiting team. Charlotte is just 3-10 as the visitors this season while the Pistons have rung up a solid 11-2 mark at home on the year. Detroit had won four straight and six of seven before falling to Dallas and will be intent on atoning for that defeat. The Pistons are pretty healthy at this point and they have been solid on both ends of the floor. Detroit should take care of business here against a struggling Charlotte squad to earn the win here.
Hornets vs. Pistons Over/Under Pick
- Under 234 (4 units)
Charlotte has stayed under the number in 17 of their 27 games entering Wednesday night. The Hornets are 18th in the league in scoring offense, 16th in offensive efficiency and 22nd in tempo as they average 99.2 possessions a night this season. Charlotte is 24th in scoring defense, 29th in field goal percentage defense (49.2%), 17th in threes allowed (13.3) per game and 28th in three-point defense (38.5%) on the year. Detroit stands 9th in offensive efficiency, 10th in scoring offense and 12th in tempo with 100.6 possessions per game. The Pistons have stayed under the number in 13 of their 27 games this season entering this one and have stayed under the number in four of their last seven games. Look for this game to wind up short of the number as the Pistons contain Charlotte’s perimeter attack.
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