CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Whether this is significant won't become apparent until April, but the Hornets have already won a season series against an Eastern Conference peer.
The Hornets topped the Detroit Pistons, 98-86, on Friday at Spectrum Center. The Hornets are 3-0 against the Pistons in a four-game series, so if the two teams finish with the same record, the Hornets own the tiebreaker.
The Hornets led from midway through the first quarter with some of the best defense of their season. Coach James Borrego shook up his rotation in the second half of Wednesday's comeback victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, leaning toward defense and experience, and stuck with that lineup Friday. The victory improved the Hornets to 16-15.
Marvin Williams finished with a season-high 24 points and made a career-high seven 3-pointers. Kemba Walker added 22 points.
Blake Griffin led the Pistons with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Hornets held the Pistons to a season low in points. Detroit (15-15) shot 39 percent from the field and 24 percent from 3-point range.
