Pistons Streak Snapped by Rockets, 111–104 — Cold Shooting and Missed Free Throws Cost Detroit
As cold as it was outside in Detroit on Friday night, it was somehow even colder inside Little Caesars Arena from the three-point line. The Pistons couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn from deep, left points at the free-throw line, and those misses piled up in a 111–104 loss to the Houston Rockets.
The game felt close on the surface, but in the areas that decide outcomes, it really wasn’t. Detroit shot just 22% from beyond the arc, went 71% at the stripe, and lost the rebounding battle — a brutal combination against a disciplined Houston team that made Detroit pay for every mistake.
Game Flow: Where It Slipped Away
The Pistons didn’t get blown out — but they were never truly in control either. Houston seized momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Detroit 34–20, and Detroit spent the rest of the night chasing the game instead of dictating it.
Houston finished 35% from three to Detroit’s 22%, hit 24 free throws to Detroit’s 17, and won the rebounding battle 43–35. That’s the story. You can survive one of those gaps. You can’t survive all three.
Jalen Duren: The One Constant
If there was a bright spot — and there was — it was Jalen Duren.
Duren finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and relentless physicality, continuing to look like the most consistent interior presence on the floor. He shot 7-of-13, battled Sengun and Capela all night, and was the lone Piston who could consistently create efficient offense.
At this point, it’s not even a debate — Duren belongs in the All-Star conversation. When Detroit struggles, he’s still producing. When Detroit wins, he’s often the anchor. That matters.
Cold Shooting Cripples the Offense
Detroit went 7-for-32 from three. Let that sit for a second.
Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, Cade Cunningham — all had looks. None could find rhythm. Cade finished 0-for-4 from deep, Robinson 2-for-8, Harris 0-for-3. The ball movement was fine. The results were not.
And it wasn’t just from deep. Detroit also went 17-for-24 at the line — another self-inflicted wound in a single-digit game late.
Durant Did Durant Things
While Detroit struggled to find rhythm, Kevin Durant did what he’s done for nearly two decades. He finished with 32 points on efficient shooting, calmly taking over whenever the Pistons showed signs of life. Midrange pull-ups, timely threes, and smart reads — no forcing, no wasted possessions.
When Houston needed separation, Durant provided it. On a night where Detroit’s perimeter shots wouldn’t fall, Durant’s shot-making was the difference.
Thompson Twins Moment: Even Battle, Proud Family
One of the night’s better subplots was the Ausar vs. Amen Thompson matchup — and it lived up to the billing.
Ausar finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and elite defense, but foul trouble limited him to 24 minutes. Amen played 16 more minutes and filled the box score for Houston, yet the matchup felt surprisingly even whenever Ausar was on the floor.
Their family was in attendance, and they had to be proud. Two brothers. Two teams. Both competing hard — exactly how it should be.
Ron Holland’s Impact Went Beyond the Box Score
Ron Holland II didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he was everywhere.
Deflections. Hustle plays. Physical defense. Energy. Holland mixed it up all night, attacked the glass, and brought juice when Detroit needed it. His presence helped stabilize the second unit and kept the Pistons from fully unraveling during Houston’s third-quarter push.
Cade’s Night: Playmaking Was There, Efficiency Wasn’t
Cade Cunningham finished with 12 points and 8 assists, but this wasn’t a vintage scoring night. He committed 6 turnovers, struggled to get clean looks, and never found his outside shot.
Still — even on an off night — Cade controlled tempo and kept Detroit within striking distance. That versatility is why nights like this don’t spiral into blowouts.
Stat Capsule 📊
Final Score
• Rockets 111, Pistons 104
Team Stats (3)
• 3PT Shooting: DET 22% | HOU 35%
• Free Throws: DET 17-24 (71%) | HOU 24-30 (80%)
• Rebounds: HOU 43 | DET 35
Player Leaders (3)
• Jalen Duren: 18 PTS, 7 REB
• Kevin Durant: 32 PTS
• Ausar Thompson: 12 PTS, 8 REB
Game Flow (3)
• Third Quarter: HOU +14 (34–20)
• Detroit led just 14% of the game
• Pistons scored 11 points off turnovers vs Houston’s 21
What This Loss Actually Means
This wasn’t a bad loss — but it was a revealing one.
Detroit can survive cold nights. They can survive turnover spikes. But when the threes don’t fall and free throws are missed and the glass is lost — the margin disappears fast.
The encouraging part? The fixes are obvious.
What Do You Think?
Is this just a cold shooting night — or another sign Detroit still needs one more reliable perimeter scorer before the postseason grind? Drop a comment, or join the conversation in the Pistons Hardwood Hub — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
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