Pistons Outlast Rockets for First Win of the Season

HOUSTON, TX — The Detroit Pistons defeated the Houston Rockets 115-111 on Friday night, earning their first win of the season. The Pistons improved to 1-1 while the Rockets also stand at 1-1 after the game.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 21 points, hitting two crucial free throws with just 5.5 seconds left to help secure the victory. This win also marked a significant milestone for Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who recorded his 300th career win. He and his father Bernie Bickerstaff are now the first father-son duo in NBA history to reach this achievement.

Paul Reed contributed to the Pistons’ win with a layup that made it 113-110 before Houston’s player cut the lead to two by making 1 of 2 free throws with 1:32 remaining. In a tense final moments, both teams missed opportunities from beyond the arc, but Reed blocked a shot from Houston’s Alperen Sengun with 16.4 seconds left.

Forced to foul, Houston sent Cunningham to the line, where he made both free throws, finalizing the score at 115-111. Ausar Thompson also had a strong performance for Detroit, scoring 19 points, surpassing his twin brother’s performance, who scored 10 points for the Rockets.

Kevin Durant was the standout player for Houston, scoring a game-high 37 points and going 16 of 18 from the free throw line. After a quiet first game with the Rockets, he showed improvement, hitting 3 of 3 from three-point range.

The Pistons built a five-point lead after a Cunningham three-pointer but had to fend off a late comeback by Houston. Durant tied the game at 105 with a three-pointer, but Detroit finished with a 6-0 run to hold on for the win.

Next, the Pistons will host the Boston Celtics on Sunday, while the Rockets will face the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.