Houston Rockets vs Detroit Pistons game preview

After losing their first home game of the season on Saturday, the Detroit Pistons (6-8) will try to bounce back tonight against the Houston Rockets (8-5).

The Detroit Pistons are coming into tonight’s match-up on a three-game losing streak and a struggling lineup. They have also lost six of their last eight games to start the season. The Rockets meanwhile have played better as the season has gone on, winning their last two games.

Detroit is coming into tonight’s game after losing to the Boston Celtics 94-92.

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The Pistons have struggled on the defensive end of the court this year, especially on the road. Those issues came up at the Palace of Auburn Hills against Boston as well, allowing 12 made three-point shots. Opponents have shot 35.2 percent from deep against the Pistons this season. Players such as Jonas Jerebko, who had made five of his 19 attempts from three-point range coming into that game, made all three of his shots.

The Pistons have a negative net rating so far this season of -1.9, getting outscored 101.3 to 99.5 points per 100 possessions.

Changes to the Pistons lineup, which have been confirmed as a possibility by head coach Stan Van Gundy, could take time to come fruition.

Van Gundy told reporters that with the team’s schedule the next few weeks, there is not enough time to communicate any possible changes to the players and other coaches:

"“Their (the coaches’) point was take (Sunday) and think about it,” Van Gundy said. “Right now, having time to think has been hard when you go on three straight weeks of Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and you’re just playing all the time and getting ready for the next game.”"

With the Pistons playing four games a week for the next four of five weeks, it could be a while before adjustments are made to the starting lineup.

As for the Rockets, who are coming off a 111-102 win over the Utah Jazz at the Toyota Center, they have gotten better as the season has gone on.

Their defense has improved as the season has gone on, going from dead last in defensive rating their first six games to 12th in the league.

James Harden has also been dominating this season. The six-foot-five shooting guard has shot a career-best 46.8 percent from the field in the early going. He has also been averaging more than 12 assists per game, another career-best so far. He also became the first Rockets player since the 1989-90 season to get at least 30 points and 10 assists without a turnover against the Jazz.

Nov 19, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz center Jeff Withey (24) and forward Joe Ingles (2) in the second half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 111-102. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

The one main issue of concern for the Pistons tonight could be the Rockets’ ability to shoot from downtown.

About 42 percent of all attempted field goals by the Rockets so far have come from three-point range, higher than the 30.4 percent league average. They are also on pace to demolish the record for most three pointers attempted in a season.

If the Pistons want to win tonight, they will have to find a way to defend the three-point shot. If they don’t it could be a long night at the Palace.

Tip-off time is at 7:30 p.m. EST.

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