Rockets snap 7-game skid by beating Pistons 121-115
HOUSTON (AP) — Kevin Porter Jr. scored 30 points and Jalen Green added 26 to help the Houston Rockets end their seven-game losing streak with a 121-115 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
Porter shot 12 of 20 from the field and made seven 3-pointers, the last of which put Houston up by six with less than a minute to play. It marked the first time this season Porter scored 30 or more points in consecutive games. Meanwhile, Green was 10 of 18 on field goals.
Marvin Bagley III scored 21 points and Jaden Ivey added 18 points and nine assists for Detroit, which lost its eighth in a row and 19th in the last 20 games.
In a game that featured 14 ties and 23 lead changes, the Rockets took the lead for good when Porter knocked down a free throw to break a 104-104 tie after Pistons coach Dwane Casey was called for a technical foul with 4:59 to play.
Alperen Sengun had 15 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists for the Rockets. Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds for his 15th double-double of the season. LeBron James and Dwight Howard are the only players in NBA history 19 or younger with more than 16 double-doubles.
Houston shot 55% on the way to taking a 31-28 lead after a quarter, but Jared Rhoden sparked a 15-4 run by the Pistons midway through the second that was capped off by Killian Hayes' 3-pointer.
Detroit took a one-point lead into the fourth, but both teams struggled to make shots. Houston was able to overcome its poor shooting by getting to the free throw line 18 times.