Marvin Williams
Nov 18, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) celebrates after scoring a basket during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 116-111. Reuters/Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Hornets used a great first half to build a big lead and they never looked back in beating the visiting Detroit Pistons, 104-84 on Monday night.

Cody Zeller led the way for the Hornets with 20 points and added 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Marvin Williams had a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds while three other Hornets finished in double-figure scoring.

Kemba Walker finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds, and Nicolas Batum had another good all-around game with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals.

The Hornets led 14-12 with over three minutes to go in the opening quarter before unleashing a 16-6 run for a 28-20 lead after the first. Charlotte carried that momentum in the second quarter and had a double-digit advantage, 62-51 at the end of the first half.

The Hornets continued to pile up the points in the second half and Detroit never seriously threatened as Charlotte cruised to the victory to improve to 12-8 overall and 9-4 at home.

Pistons’ franchise player Andre Drummond was in foul trouble early and had to settle for 9 points and 9 rebounds and played just 24 minutes. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 16 points to top-score for Detroit while Ersan Ilyasova posted a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Detroit had a four-game winning streak snapped and fell to 12-10 overall and are just 4-8 away from home. The Hornets stay at home in their next game to face the Miami Heat before going on the road to take on the Memphis Grizzlies, who also have a match-up with the Pistons Wednesday.

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