Lee sends a message to his new center
Charlotte led Detroit by seven at halftime on Wednesday and lost 97-89. The Pistons won the third quarter and built a double-digit lead early in the fourth. Coach Charles Lee also made a notable call: Naz Reid, the Hornets’ new center, sat out the entire second half.
Lee said Reid had not met the team’s standards in the first half. Reid finished with seven points and six rebounds in 13 minutes. Lee added that he expects him to meet those standards in the next game, which comes Friday night in Washington.
Brandon Miller scored 31 for Charlotte and Cade Cunningham had 30 for Detroit. Lee liked the road defense and the physical effort but pointed to turnovers and slow offensive possessions as the reasons the lead evaporated.
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Dybantsa makes his home debut
Charlotte already beat Washington 110-103 at home on Monday. Miller set a career high of 39 that night and Reid went for 18 points and 12 rebounds, which makes his benching on Wednesday more striking. Anthony Davis scored 29 with 10 rebounds in the loss. The Hornets are chasing a sixth straight win in the series.
The Wizards fell 121-111 at Cleveland on Wednesday despite six players in double figures. Rookie AJ Dybantsa, back from a preseason injury, scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting in his NBA debut, and coach Brian Keefe praised his passing, decisions and defense. Friday is his first game in Washington. Kyshawn George handed out 11 assists, a career high.
Washington will be without forward Justin Champagnie, who had surgery on his fractured right foot after getting hurt in Monday’s game in Charlotte.
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