Overview
- Houston broke a 52-52 halftime tie with a 34-20 third quarter, shooting 68.4% in the period to build an 86-72 lead it never lost.
- Kevin Durant led all scorers with 32 points plus seven rebounds in 40 minutes, while Alperen Sengun added 19 and Reed Sheppard scored 18.
- Amen Thompson neared a triple-double with 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as the Rockets snapped a five-game road skid.
- Cade Cunningham returned from a hip contusion and illness to start, finishing 5-of-13 with eight assists and six turnovers as Houston’s traps disrupted Detroit’s offense.
- Both teams struggled from deep (Rockets 9-for-26, Pistons 7-for-32), but Houston owned a 24-of-30 edge at the foul line to close out the win at Little Caesars Arena.