Rockets Hit the Road for Matinee Matchup in Detroit
New-Look Rematch. Opportunity Arises. Other Side of History.
Houston begins a five-game road trip on Saturday afternoon in Detroit, as they visit the sliding Pistons. The Rockets lost the first meeting between these teams, 112-104, back on November 10th. These squads have both undergone significant changes since that matchup. The Rockets were in the middle of their 15-game losing streak, and since have had a seven-game winning streak, before losing three of their past four. The Pistons have shut down Jerami Grant for the season with an injury. Grant looked like an All-Star when these teams first met, but he won’t be a nuisance for Houston this time around. Cade Cunningham has quietly improved his play as the season’s move on, while the Rockets have discovered the capabilities of Garrison Matthews, and other contributors who have shown they’re better than G-League fodder.
This is the best chance the Rockets have at getting a win on this road trip. Detroit has the worst record in the NBA, and they’re one of the few teams Houston’s legitimately better than. The Pistons are also currently riding a 13-game losing streak. Houston owns the longest losing streak of this season, at 15 games, but they’d love to change that part of history by pushing Detroit closer to that mark. If anything, it’s bad for morale to get swept by the worst team in the NBA. Expect the Rockets to play with some pride, and hunger, even though they’re in the midst of a tough stretch of the schedule.
Hopefully Christian Wood returns for the Rockets, who are still waiting on Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Danuel House Jr. to return as well. Regardless, Houston should win this game. They looked gassed in their last loss to the Knicks on Thursday night. Friday is a much-needed rest day, but the team also travels to Detroit. If the squad can get a few injured bodies back, it would ease the fatigue haunting this short-handed Houston team. The Rockets are now 1-4 since they’re seven-game winning streak was snapped by the Milwaukee Bucks a week ago. Luckily for Houston, Little Caesars Arena is the perfect place for NBA teams in dire need of a slice of victory.
Little Caesars Arena: Detroit, Michigan
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (9-20): Black
Detroit Pistons (4-23): Gray
Tip: 11 AM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass