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Thursday, Jan. 27 7:30pm ET
Hornets spoil Hill's return from injury | |||||
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 GAME FLOW
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- There was a special visitor Thursday night in the crowd of 16,238 at the Charlotte Coliseum, and David Wesley responded accordingly. With Bobby Phills' widow in attendance, Wesley scored 24 points to power the Charlotte Hornets to a 117-102 victory over the Detroit Pistons. It was by far Wesley's best outing in seven games since his close friend and teammate was killed in an auto accident that occurred while police said he was drag racing against Wesley. Phills' widow, Kendall, was on hand for the first time since her husband's death. Wesley hit eight of 13 field-goal attempts and scored eight points in a 17-2 run that put the Hornets in control on the way to their fifth victory in six games. "The second half he was just so comfortable, so confident. He just let it happen. That's what he's capable of," coach Paul Silas said. "We didn't really call out any plays for him, but he hit shots from the perimeter and he drove to the basket. That's what we have to have from him, that kind of production. If we get that, we're going to be tough." Wesley, who had 17 second-half points, has declined all interviews since the fatal crash, but his teammates have been vocal in their support for him, both on the floor and in the locker room. Eddie Jones added 25 points and seven steals and Derrick Coleman had 24 points to help the Hornets to their second-highest scoring output of the season. Jerry Stackhouse had 34 points and Grant Hill scored 28 in his return from a two-game absence, but Detroit got just 10 points from its bench and lost its sixth consecutive game. Hill, who was listed as doubtful with a hip contusion, started and played 39 minutes -- all the while showing no apparent problems from the injury. Afterward, Hill said looks can be deceiving. "It was painful," he said. "Not a lot of spring, not a lot of explosion. I was not 100 percent. I'm just trying to get healthy." Coach Alvin Gentry said he was grateful for Hill's effort. "He's hurt, but he played and gave 99 percent," Gentry said. "There aren't many guys you can count on to do that." The Pistons had 21 turnovers that the Hornets converted into 30 points. "We're our own worst enemy," Gentry said. "We're not playing very smart." Charlotte improved to 16-3 at home, including a 7-0 mark against Central Division foes. "Winning as many games as we are at home will put us in good shape in April," Jones said, "So we have to keep this up at home but also improve on the road." The Pistons used a 12-2 run midway through the third quarter to erase a 10-point deficit, and they were trailing 79-78 when Wesley shifted the Hornets into high gear. After beginning the surge with a 3-pointer, Wesley pulled up on a fast break two possessions later and hit another 25-footer. On Charlotte's next trip downcourt, Wesley drove down the middle of the lane, went up for a layup and was knocked to the floor by Hill. Wesley landed hard on his right hip and elbow and stayed on the floor for several seconds, but he got up and made two free throws to put Charlotte up 89-78, the biggest lead by either team to that stage. The Hornets weren't done. They scored the last two points of the third quarter and five of the first seven in the fourth, stretching their lead to 96-80 on a 3-pointer by Jones with 9:49 remaining. Detroit got no closer than 12 the rest of the way. Game notesCharlotte co-owner Ray Wooldridge said the team is prepared to offer the maximum allowable salary to Jones, who is scheduled to become a free agent in the offseason. ... Jones, who has led the NBA in steals since the opening day of the season, has at least one steal in 27 consecutive games. ... Gentry is 1-8 against the Hornets. ... The Pistons have lost five consecutive games in Charlotte. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Detroit Clubhouse Charlotte Clubhouse RECAPS Charlotte 117 Detroit 102
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