Entering Friday, the Houston Rockets (18-18) have lost three of their last four games and are just 3-12 on the road this season.
Making matters worse, starting Saturday, they have three games on the road versus a trio of Eastern Conference contenders: Boston (29-8), Philadelphia (23-13), and New York (22-15).
So, prior to that stretch, there’s a lot of pressure on Ime Udoka’s Rockets to bank a win on Friday night in Detroit — where the Pistons (3-35) are arguably the NBA’s worst team in a generation. Just 11 days ago, the Rockets routed the Pistons in Houston.
This time, the Pistons are even more short-handed, with third-year star Cade Cunningham among the absences. But Houston isn’t at full-strength, either, with Tari Eason and Dillon Brooks still sidelined.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Friday, Jan. 12
- Time: 6:30 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (18-18)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Detroit Pistons (3-35)
- Guard: Killian Hayes
- Guard: Jaden Ivey
- Forward: Bojan Bogdanovic
- Forward: Isaiah Livers
- Center: Jalen Duren
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair), Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) as out. Nate Hinton, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Nate Williams are all currently in the NBA G League.
On the other side, Detroit is without Cade Cunningham (left knee strain) and Monte Morris (right quadriceps strain). Isaiah Stewart (right great toe sprain) and Bojan Bogdanovic (left calf soreness) are probable for Friday’s game, and Stanley Umude, Jared Rhoden, and Malcolm Cazalon are all with Detroit’s G League affiliate.
Jan. 12 uniform choices
- Rockets: White Association Edition
- Pistons: Black Statement Edition
Latest interviews
#Rockets fall to Bulls in OT 124-119
Alperen Sengun 0 points in the 1st HALF, but scores 19 of his team high 25 points in the 4Q & OT@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/BSTRb1G9cF
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 11, 2024
#Rockets lose to the Bulls 124-119 in OT
Cam Whitmore season high in minutes (33) and points (16)@HoustonRockets road trip continues Friday in Detroit pic.twitter.com/s5BKDbyNPE
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 11, 2024
