Eastern Conference Recaps, Feb. 27: Charlotte Hornets Win Despite Losing LaMelo Ball To Ankle Fracture

The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Detroit Pistons 117-106 despite leading scorer LaMelo Ball sustaining a broken foot in the third quarter.

Terry Rozier scored 22 points to lead the Hornets past the Eastern Conference-worst Pistons. Gordon Hayward had 19 points for the Hornets and Ball had 18 before exiting the game.

“It's certainly disappointing because he's a major part of our team and we felt like we were rounding the corner,” Hayward said.

James Wiseman led the Pistons with 23 points and Hamidou Diallo had a season-high 23 off the bench. Marvin Bagley had 21 points and 12 rebounds and Alec Burks had 17 points.

NEXT PISTONS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 19 in Detroit

OTHER NOTES:

-Julius Randle’s 23 points led the New York Knicks to a 109-94 victory against the NBA-best Boston Celtics. Jalen Brunson had 17 points and Immanuel Quickley led all reserves with 23. Malcolm Brogdon led the Celtics with 22 points off the bench and Marcus Smart had 19.

NEXT KNICKS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 3 at New York

-Rookie Paolo Banchero scored 29 points to lead the Orlando Magic to a 101-93 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. Markelle Fultz had 14 points while Wendell Carter and Franz Wagner had 11. Moritz Wagner led all reserves with 14.

Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 25 points and CJ McCollum had 18.

NEXT MAGIC GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 11 in Orlando

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.