Rockets lose to the Pistons, 107-96

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POSTED: January 20, 2025 -- 7:25 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets lost a MLK matinee-day game to the Detroit Pistons, 107-96. With the win today, the Pistons split the season series vs. the Rockets and snap a six-game losing streak to Houston. The Rockets (28-14) have lost two of their past three games after winning five in a row prior while Detroit improves to 11-4 over its past 15 games after starting the season 11-17.

The Rockets looked out of sync in today's game. Today's game was the Rockets 5th game in 8 days. Houston has not played in the same city for consecutive games since hosting the Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers on January 3 and 5 respectively.

The travel and quick turnaround from the Saturday night game in Portland was a contributing factor in the Rockets' 7 turnovers in the first quarter versus Detroit.

"Going west then coming and then the early game," Ime Udoka, Rockets Head Coach said regarding any carry over the long road trip. "And, obviously, the first quarter it looked like we were still asleep."

Detroit (22-21) outscored the Rockets 40-29 in the first quarter and led 44-29 before the Rockets awakened and responded with a 16-0 run to lead 45-44.

"Other than the second quarter, when we came back from 15 to tie it halftime," Coach Udoka added. "That was our really only one good quarter of the game."

Houston took advantage of 8 turnovers by the Pistons in the second quarter to win the second stanza 28-17. The game was tied at 57 at halftime.

Pistons guard Cade Cunningham had 6 of the Pistons 13 first-half turnovers. Houston scored 12 points of the 13 turnovers.

Cunningham had his way with the Rockets -- despite 3 more turnovers. Cunningham scored 19 of his game-high 32 points in the third quarter. He made 7 of his 8 field goal attempts including a perfect 3 for 3 from three-point range.

"Good player that didn't feel like anyone could really stop him," Coach Udoka said of Cunningham's performance. He got the shots he wanted and made them."

The Rockets double-teamed Cunningham more in the fourth quarter which slowed down Cunningham and resulted in 0 for 3 shooting and 1 more turnover; however, the Rockets didn't capitalize. Houston shot 7 for 22 and lost the 4th period 17-16 after losing the 3rd quarter 33-23.

"We just didn't really seem to have an answer for him, Fred VanVleet, Rockets veteran point guard said of Cunningham. "We were able to chop him a little bit there in the fourth to slow him down but didn't score enough to close the gap."

VanVleet added, "We were able to respond in the second quarter to tie it up at half but didn't have enough there in the second half to finish it up."

The Pistons out-rebounded the Rockets 52-39 in the game. This is the 11th time this season the Rockets lost the rebounds battle.

The Rockets had a season-high tying 17 steals while forcing an opponent season-high tying 23 turnovers; but, poor shooting foiled their chances to win Monday afternoon. The Rockets shot 28.2 3pt% (11 for 39) from three and 39.4 fg% (37 for 94) overall.

NOTES:

VanVleet finished the game with 20 points and 6 steals. He has a total of 29 steals over his past 10 games played, which is tied for the most by a Rocket over a 10-game span since P.J. Tucker had 30 from 1/19-2/6/19.

Jalen Green had 19 points, snapping his career-best nine-game streak of scoring 20+. He is averaging 22.7 ppg in wins this season compared to 19.3 in losses.

Alperen Sengun finished the game with 11 points and 8 rebounds. Sengun made 1 of his 7 field goals in the first half before making 4 of 7 attempts in the second half.

The Rockets' next game is Wednesday, January 22, at home, versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip is set for 7 p.m. Central Time.

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