AUBURN HILLS, Mich. _ Give Boban Marjanovic a game ball for an epic performance. Give his teammates an F for defensive effort.
With Aron Baynes out with an ankle injury and Andre Drummond in foul trouble, the 7-foot-3 third-string center Marjanovic put together an unexpected double-double performance to spark the Pistons to a 115-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night at the Palace.
Detroit's defense was pathetic in the final 12 minutes. The Hornets scored 44 points after trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter. Kemba Walker led the comeback with 32 points.
In 22 minutes, Marjanovic pulled down a career high 19 rebounds and scored 15 points on four shots from the field to spark Detroit. He went 9-for-11 from the free-throw line.
A free throw by Reggie Jackson (22 points, 11 assists) with 13.2 left gave the Pistons a 113-110 lead. Spencer Hawes tied the game with an uncontested triple with 8 seconds left.
Jackson was fouled by Walker with 1.9 seconds left and made two free throws. Marco Belinelli banked in a three, but it was just after the buzzer to save the Pistons.
Detroit's defense held the Hornets, on the second game of a back-to-back, to 31 percent shooting in the first half and secured a 10-point halftime lead.
