Rockets Aim to Snap Losing Streak, Host Lowly Pistons
New Leaf. Twin Night. Record Lows.
The Rockets kick-off 2024 by hosting the Detroit Pistons for a New Year’s Day matchup at Toyota Center. Detroit snapped their NBA-record 28-game losing streak on Saturday, as they beat the undermanned Toronto Raptors at home. The game before that, Detroit narrowly lost to the Boston Celtics on the road in overtime. They recently got their sophomore stud big man, Jalen Duren, back from an injury, and he’s made a difference and been a big reason the Pistons have turned the corner over their last two games. Houston needs to be ready for a Detroit team that is better than their lowly 3-29 record. The Pistons still have some young, talented players the Rockets will need to contend with if they want to snap their own three-game losing streak. And it’s time to snap this skid. After a dominant start at Toyota Center, Houston’s last three losses have all come at home. It’s time the squad turns a new leaf and embraces the remaining four games left on this home-stand.
Besides Duren, Detroit has Cade Cunningham, who went first when Jalen Green went second in the 2021 NBA Draft. Green should always be extra motivated to play against the lone team that passed on him in the draft a few years ago. After injury problems slowed the start of his career, Cunningham is beginning to show why he was the number one overall pick in that draft class. He’s shown signs of All-Star potential, and the Rockets need to be ready for the rising guard. Detroit’s point guard, Jaden Ivey is having somewhat of a breakout season. The young guard will be another headache the Pistons present this evening. And then there’s Ausar Thompson, the twin brother of Amen Thompson. Amen went fourth to the Rockets, and Ausar as selected directly afterward, going fifth to the Pistons. While Amen Thompson has had to fight through early injury issues, and navigating a role on this deep Houston roster, Ausar got off to a fast start for the Pistons. He’s starting to hit the rookie wall over his last few games, but he’s so far the better of the two brothers, as he’s had more playing time and experience. Amen was sidelined for several weeks after getting injured in only the fifth game of the season. The twins will likely be extra hyped and excited to compete against one another tonight. Toyota Center is even giving out a dual “Twin Bobblehead” featuring the twins next to each other to commemorate the event. The Thompsons were former teammates in the G-League, but now they’ll be playing against each other in the most competitive league in the world.
The Houston Rockets are currently riding a three-game losing streak, tied for their longest of the season. In fact, all of Houston’s losses have come during a three-game skid this season. They’ve had five three-game losing streaks this campaign. The good news is, they haven’t lost four straight games. The Rockets need to treat the Pistons with respect, and forget about their record. This is still a professional team Houston is facing on the other side of the court tonight. It seems like weeks since the squad’s put together a solid defensive outing. Expect the Rockets to get back on track against theses Pistons, and avoid a record low losing streak for this season.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Detroit Pistons (3-29): Black
Houston Rockets (15-15): Red
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass