Miller scores 38 and Ball adds 35 to lead Hornets past Pistons 123-121 in OT

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Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, right, drives against Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) looks to pass the ball around Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets guard Seth Curry (30) drives to the basket past Detroit Pistons guard Wendell Moore Jr., right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (23) drives against Detroit Pistons guard Wendell Moore Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) pulls down an offensive rebound over Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin (11) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (23) shoots ahead of Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives to the basket past Detroit Pistons guard Wendell Moore Jr.,left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives into Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

By STEVE REED

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Brandon Miller scored eight of his career-high 38 points in overtime, and the Charlotte Hornets hung on to beat the Detroit Pistons 123-121 on Thursday night.

Miller was 8 for 12 from 3-point range — two of those coming in overtime — and LaMelo Ball had 35 points and nine assists before fouling out one second into OT as Charlotte prevailed after squandering a 20-point lead in the third quarter.

Detroit’s Cade Cunningham had 27 points and 10 assists before leaving the game with a hip injury with 48 seconds remaining in regulation after being fouled by Grant Williams. Cunningham made two free throws before leaving the game.

Ball, who has struggled with foul trouble issues this season, picked up three in the first quarter and took a on the bench. He returned to score 13 of Charlotte’s 15 points in a stretch of the third quarter.

The Pistons stormed back and took the lead on Cunningham’s free throws. Ball tied the game with a floater and Malik Beasley missed two short-range shots. Ball had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation but his floater didn’t fall.

Takeaways

Pistons: Jalen Duren was a non-factor for most of the game, finishing with five points and nine rebounds despite facing a Hornets team playing without centers Mark Williams and Nick Richards.

Hornets: Charlotte said Williams (foot tendon strain) and Richards (rib fracture) have “returned to group and team activities,” and are getting close to returning to action.

Key moment

Miller drained his career-best eighth 3-pointer with 32 seconds left in overtime to give Charlotte a six-point lead.

Key stat

Miller and Ball became the first Hornets to score 35 points in the same game in franchise history.

Up next

Pistons visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, while the Hornets travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba