Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons game preview

The Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons played each other on New Year’s Day. The Pistons were coming off their first win in two months and Houston had just lost three in a row. The Rockets won 136-113 in a game that was close until Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun took over in the third quarter.

Including that night, the Pistons have dropped six in a row, and have given up 130 or more points in five of those six contests. They lost to the Jazz in overtime and hung with the Warriors (both on the road), but have been blown out in the three games since. On Wednesday night, they lost to their Tankathon rival Spurs in a game that was never close. Victor Wembanyama picked up a triple double in 21 minutes.

Tonight’s game is extra important because it’s the only remaining “winnable” game on paper during this road trip. The Rockets will turn around and fly to Boston for a game tomorrow night against the undefeated-at-home Celtics. The Celtics, OF COURSE, will not be on a back-to-back because Herbert Hoover passed the Houston Rockets Lack of Rest Advantage In Perpetuity Act back in 1930. After that game, Houston plays the Sixers and Knicks, both of whom are aces at protecting their home court advantage.

Tip-off

6:30pm CT

How to Watch

Space City Home Network

Injury Report

Rockets

Dillon Brooks-GTD (abdominal)

Tari Eason-GTD (leg)

Pistons

Cade Cunningham-OUT (knee)

Isaiah Stewart-GTD (toe)

Monte Morris-OUT (quad)

The Line (as of this post)

Hou -8

Looking ahead because we can

Tomorrow night in Boston