For the first time since the inception of the NBA Rivals week, the Detroit Pistons will be featured in a marquee rivalry matchup. This year, that game will come against the Houston Rockets on January 23rd. NBA rivalries are not nearly as fierce now as they have been in previous decades, but this is still a great chance for the Pistons to stack up against a top team and settle some animosity.
This is a rivalry which has been brewing for a few years now since the 2021 draft when Cade Cunningham went #1 to the Pistons and Jalen Green went #2 to the Rockets. The contempt between the two has been well-documented, but that aspect of the rivalry has died down now that Green was shipped out to Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant trade.
Still, the two teams have followed similar rebuilding trajectories in the last four years and now both have tough defensive teams surrounding offensive superstars. The rivalry also has a new twin angle which the NBA wants to capitalize on. Amen Thompson of the Rockets and Ausar Thompson of the Pistons were drafted just one pick apart in the 2023 draft, and both expect to have increased roles on their team this season.
Detroit Pistons schedule: Rocket's rivalry about to get real
The Rockets’ rebuild is undeniably further along than the Pistons. Their treasure chest of assets gained from trading away James Harden, as well as smart veteran signings in the last couple of years, has helped create a powerhouse in the West. Rockets management felt confident enough in their young core, highlighted by the aforementioned Amen Thompson and All-Star Alperen Sengun, to trade for 36-year-old Kevin Durant.
Durant’s addition to one of the best defensive teams in the league last season (5th in team defensive rating) instantly makes them a championship contender. Durant averaged a whopping 26.6 points per game last season on impressive 52.7/43/83.9% shooting splits. He’s also built for the playoffs, where the Rockets' offense especially struggled last season.
The Pistons might not have championship expectations like the Rockets but they are never one to back down from a challenge. Young upstart Ausar Thompson has the goal of winning Defensive Player of the Year this season, and locking up Kevin Durant would be a great way to make his case.
Last season’s series between these two teams was a very entertaining affair, with both teams picking up a double-digit road win in the two games just two weeks apart. In the second game, Cade led the Pistons to a win in Houston with a dominant performance: 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. The Pistons will hope to continue that momentum in the rivalry into this season and Rivals Week.