The Houston Rockets ended the Detroit Pistons' winning streak with a 111-104 victory on Friday night. Kevin Durant, the Rockets' star player, scored 32 points, averaging a remarkable 30.6 points in 32 career games against the Pistons. He also contributed seven rebounds and three assists without a single turnover. Alperen Sengun and Reed Shepherd scored 19 and 18 points, respectively, while Amen Thompson had a well-rounded performance with 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. The Rockets, who had lost five straight road games, won four of their last five. On the other hand, Detroit's starting lineup struggled, with only 37 points from 13-of-35 shooting. The turning point of the game was the third quarter, where Houston outscored Detroit 34-20, with Durant and Shepherd combining for 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting. The Pistons managed to get within 87-80 early in the fourth quarter, but a flagrant foul on Jae'Sean Tate and subsequent free throws by Ron Holland II shifted the momentum. Despite a three-point play by Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons couldn't close the gap. Josh Okogie's 3-pointer and Shepherd's layup secured the Rockets' lead, which remained double digits until the end. The game statistics revealed that the Pistons dominated the paint with a 36-24 edge in points, but the Rockets' defense and Durant's performance proved to be the deciding factors. The Rockets will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, while the Pistons will face the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
