Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA – Photo by Icon sport
Rockets vs Pistons: Does the Pistons stand any chance?
The Detroit Pistons will try to get a rare win this season when they host the Houston Rockets at Little Ceasers Arena on Friday night.
Is Houston a Playoff contender?
The Houston Rockets are currently ninth in the Western Conference with an 18-18 record. The Rockets have lost the last two games and are coming off a 124-119 overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls. Houston is second in the league, allowing only 110.6 points per game. They are on top of the league, allowing 33.3% shooting from behind the arc, and they are fourth, allowing 45.1% from the field. Alperen Sengun is the best player on the Rockets team, averaging 21.6 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.
Detroit is still the worst team in the league
The Detroit Pistons recently ended the longest losing streak in NBA history with 28 consecutive failures. After ending that streak, the Pistons have lost the last six games, and they are still at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 3-35 record, having won only one of 20 road games this season. The Pistons are coming off a 130-108 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Detroit is ranked 20th in the league, shooting 46.8% from the field. They make a league-low 10.5 three-pointers per game. Cade Cunningham is the best player on the Pistons team, averaging 22.8 points and 7.3 assists per game.
Betting Trends
The Pistons are 6-12 ATS in the last 18 games overall. They are 1-4 ATS in the last five games against Southwest Division teams and 5-12 ATS in the last 17 games in January.
Player to watch
Fred VanVleet is one of the key players for the Rockets success this season. He came as a free agent from the Toronto Raptors and is averaging 17.6 points and 8.5 assists per game, which ranks him fifth in the league. VanVleet dropped 32 points and seven assists in a recent Rockets loss to the Miami Heat.
Injury Reports
Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart and Monte Morris are out for the Pistons while Victor Oladipo and Dillon Brooks will not play for the Rockets.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Detroit Pistons are the worst team in the league, and that will probably not change by the end of the season. They are currently on a six-game losing streak and are hosting the Rockets, who have dropped the last two. With Cunningham being out for the Pistons, the Rockets are an 8.5-point favorite in this one. Sengun is one of the best young players in the league, and he will dominate in this game, leading the Rockets to a win by covering this spread.
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