The Houston Rockets entered tonight with the NBA’s worst record. They were missing their top three starters. The Detroit Pistons were coming off of a morale-boosting win against the Brooklyn Nets. Naturally, the Pistons lost to the Rockets 117-114.
Why did they lose?
Well, for one, they decided to play like a group of five 6-foot-3 point guards who had no answer for Houston’s length, athleticism, or desire to get into the paint. The Pistons were outscored in the paint 70-42. They lost the battle for second-chance points 21-4. They were outrebounded 59-47.