The Houston Rockets ended the Detroit Pistons' four-game winning streak with a 111-104 victory on Friday night. Kevin Durant, the Rockets' star player, scored 32 points, averaging 30.6 points in 32 career games against the Pistons, his highest average against any other team. Durant also contributed seven rebounds and three assists in 40 minutes without a single turnover. Alperen Sengun and Reed Shepherd scored 19 and 18 points, respectively, for the Rockets, who have won four of their last five games. Amen Thompson added 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for Houston, who had lost five straight road games. The Pistons' star, Jalen Duren, led Detroit with 18 points and seven rebounds, but his teammates struggled, combining for 37 points on 13-of-35 shooting (37.1%). The Rockets' defense was key in the third quarter, outscoring Detroit 34-20 and turning a tied game into an 86-72 lead. Durant and Sheppard combined for 18 points in the quarter on 7-for-8 shooting. The Pistons fought back in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 87-80 with a four-point possession. However, the Rockets' defense held strong, and Josh Okogie's 3-pointer sealed the deal with 5:19 left, putting Houston back in double figures. The game was close throughout, with the Pistons leading in points in the paint (36-24) in the first half, but the Rockets' overall performance and Durant's stellar performance proved too much for Detroit to overcome.
