Rockets vs. Pistons
When/where: 7 p.m.; Toyota Center.
TV/radio: ATTSW; 740 AM, 790 AM, 1010 AM (Spanish). So far: Rockets 11-27; Pistons 11-29.
Lately: The Rockets’ losses in the first three games of a seven-game homestand extended their losing streak to a franchise-record 18 games. The Pistons topped the Raptors on Wednesday, snapping a four-game losing streak. The Pistons had lost seven of eight games, winning only in their previous game against the Raptors.
SCOUTING THE ROCKETS
The Rockets have lost 11 consecutive games by doubledigits, a franchise record, and have 21 losses by 10 or more points … The Rockets have used 26 starting lineups in 39 games and expect to have another first-time lineup on Friday … The Rockets have made 40.7 percent of their shots and 28.4 percent of their 3s in the losing streak while opponents have nearly shot as well on 3-pointers, 40.3 percent, as the Rockets have shot overall … The Rockets have been outshot in 17 consecutive games. They had made a better percentage of their shots than their opponents in 15 of their first 22 games … The Rockets attempted 27 3-pointers, their fewest of the season, making just seven Wednesday.
Center Christian Wood had 21 points and nine rebounds Wednesday after missing his previous 17 games with a sprained right ankle. He and the Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns are the only players averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots … Guard Kevin Porter Jr. has scored at least 20 points in three of his five games, getting at least seven assists in each game … Victor Oladipo has scored at least 20 points in seven-consecutive games, averaging 27.2 points, the secondlongest streak of 20-point games in his career … Danuel House Jr. and Ben McLemore are the only players on either team that played in last season’s game between the Pistons and Rockets that could play Friday.
SCOUTING THE PISTONS
The Pistons are 4-18 on the road, 0-7 against Western Conference teams … The Pistons average 41.6 points per game off the bench, the most in the NBA … Saddiq Bey had 28 points on 8 of 14 shooting, making 6 of 10 3-pointers, with 12 rebounds against the Raptors on Wednesday. With 85 3-pointers, he leads NBA rookies and has the most ever for a Pistons rookie through 38 games … Jerami Grant’s 24.3 points per game are a career high. He had 21 points in the first game against the Rockets. He has scored at least 25 points in 16 games after scoring 25 or more in six games in the first six seasons of his career. He has led the Pistons in scoring in 27 games.
NUMBER TO NOTE
14
Combined games missed by John Wall and Victor Oladipo in the Rockets’ 18-game losing streak.
INJURY/STATUS REPORT
Rockets: Guard John Wall (bruised left knee,) and guard Ben McLemore (sprained left ankle) are questionable. Forward David Nwaba (strained right wrist) guard Eric Gordon (strained right groin,) guard Dante Exum (right calf strain) are out.
Pistons: Forward/guard Hamidou Diallo (strained right groin,) guard Wayne Ellington (strained right adductor,) guard Killian Hayes (strained right hip,) guard Rodney McGruder (sprained right elbow,) center Jahlil Okafor (left knee surgery) are out.