DETROIT _ The playoff dream lives on for the Charlotte Hornets.
They built a 23-point lead against the Detroit Pistons then hung on for a 104-91 victory at Little Caesars Arena for their third consecutive victory. That makes the Hornets 38-42 and keeps them in contention for a playoff spot with two games left: At the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday and home against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 31 points, playing 41 grueling minutes. The Hornets got a huge boost off the bench from Frank Kaminsky, who made nine of 17 shots, including three 3-pointers, for a season-high 24 points. Jeremy Lamb added 17 points.
The Pistons got 15 points and 23 rebounds from center Andre Drummond. This was the Pistons' fourth consecutive loss, dropping them to 39-41. Losses by both the Pistons and Miami Heat on Sunday were of big help to the Hornets' narrow playoff chances. They would have been eliminated Sunday had they lost.
