Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte Bobcats Watch Live Streaming Online Free NBA Basketball from Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte at 7:00 PM ET
Al Jefferson nearly notched the first triple-double of his career Tuesday with 32 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists as Charlotte (24-30) won 108-96 at Detroit.
The Bobcats increased their lead on the ninth-place Pistons (22-31) to 1 1/2 games.
"These games are what it is all about, especially with the Pistons chasing us," Jefferson said. "If you had told us before the season that we would be in this position, we would have been very satisfied. There are 28 games left, and we're in the hunt."
Jefferson scored more than 30 points for the sixth time in nine games and again tormented the Pistons. He had 24 points and 14 rebounds Dec. 20 when the Bobcats rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat Detroit 116-106.
"He's a bad matchup for the entire league right now," interim Pistons coach John Loyer said. "We knew exactly what he was going to do -- they ran the same plays they always run -- but there's not much you can do to stop him."
The Bobcats' two victories in the season series have come on the road, but they have dropped five in a row at home to the Pistons.
Detroit, however, has lost four straight on the road and eight of 13 overall.
Brandon Jennings has totaled 50 points in the losses to Charlotte, but Detroit clearly needs more from Josh Smith and Rodney Stuckey.
Smith made 5 of 17 shots for 12 points although he did grab 11 rebounds Tuesday. Stuckey, a subject of trade rumors because of his expiring contract, went 1 for 11 for two points in 17 minutes.
The Pistons entered averaging 31.8 points from their bench, which was held to 13.
Smith is shooting 22.8 percent on 3-pointers and has made five of his last 38 attempts. He's one of the reasons why Detroit is a league-worst 30.9 percent from beyond the arc.
The concern for the Pistons on Wednesday remains Jefferson's work inside the 3-point line.
"He's an All-Star player, a matchup nightmare; we know it takes a total team effort to stop a guy like that," Detroit guard Will Bynum said. "We have to look ourselves in the mirror and make sure we're giving the best effort that we can give individually."
The game will live stream on nbaliveonline.tv/streaming/
