The Houston Rockets travel to face the Detroit Pistons in an interconference clash on Friday, January 23, 2026. Detroit enters as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, riding a four-game winning streak and boasting one of the league’s stingiest defenses. Houston, sitting fourth in the West, aims to rebound from a recent overtime loss and end a five-game road skid dating back to early December. This marks the third meeting between the teams this season, with the Pistons sweeping the first two encounters in Houston (115-111 on October 24, 2025, and 107-96 on January 20, 2026).
Venue Location
Little Caesars Arena
Detroit, MI
Capacity: 20,332
(Home to the Pistons since 2017, this state-of-the-art venue has hosted numerous high-profile NBA events and provides a raucous atmosphere for Detroit’s resurgent squad.)
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT)
Broadcast: Amazon Prime Video, SCHN (Rockets local), Bally Sports Detroit (Pistons local)
Radio: SportsTalk 790 (Houston), 97.1 FM The Ticket (Detroit)
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with key absences that could impact rotations and strategies.
Houston Rockets:
Fred VanVleet (PG): Out (Torn ACL in right knee; out for the season)
Steven Adams (C): Out (Grade 3 left ankle sprain; out indefinitely, expected return mid-March)
Aaron Holiday (PG): Out (Back spasms)
The Rockets will lean on rookie Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson for additional ball-handling duties. Alperen Sengun is healthy and expected to start at center.
Detroit Pistons:
Cade Cunningham (PG): Questionable (Left hip contusion/illness; missed the last game but could return)
Caris LeVert (SG): Game-time decision (Illness)
Ronald Holland II (F): Game-time decision (Illness)
Duncan Robinson (F): Game-time decision (Undisclosed)
If Cunningham sits, Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser will see expanded roles in the backcourt. Jalen Duren remains available to anchor the paint.
Key Player Matchups
This game features intriguing battles between young stars and veterans, with Detroit’s depth potentially overwhelming Houston’s injury-thinned roster.
Amen Thompson (HOU) vs. Cade Cunningham (DET, if active): A clash of versatile guards. Thompson (18.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 5.2 APG) has been Houston’s engine without VanVleet, using his athleticism to drive and defend. Cunningham (23.4 PPG, 9.8 APG) is Detroit’s All-Star playmaker, but his status adds uncertainty. If out, Thompson could exploit Ivey’s defensive lapses.
Kevin Durant (HOU) vs. Ausar Thompson/Tobias Harris (DET): Durant (25.9 PPG on 51.1% FG, 39.5% 3PT) remains a scoring machine at 37, capable of exploiting mismatches. Detroit’s wing defenders like Ausar Thompson (elite perimeter defense) or Harris (veteran savvy) will aim to force tough shots and limit his touches.
Alperen Sengun (HOU) vs. Jalen Duren (DET): A matchup of rising bigs. Sengun (21.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 6.4 APG) brings skill and passing, but Duren (13.2 PPG, 11.4 RPG) dominates the glass and could neutralize Sengun’s post game with physicality.
Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU) vs. Isaiah Stewart (DET): Smith (15.4 PPG, 34.6% 3PT) stretches the floor, while Stewart provides rim protection and rebounding off the bench for Detroit.
Other notes: Detroit’s bench (led by Ivey and LeVert, if healthy) averages 42.1 PPG, outpacing Houston’s 38.7. The Rockets’ defense (No. 5 in efficiency) will test Detroit’s offense, but Houston’s road struggles (11-13 away) could be exposed.
Team Rankings
| Category | Rockets Rank (League) | Pistons Rank (League) |
| Points Per Game | 117.0 (10th) | 112.8 (18th) |
| Opponent PPG | 110.2 (5th) | 105.4 (2nd) |
| Rebounds Per Game | 49.0 (3rd) | 48.2 (5th) |
| Assists Per Game | 24.8 (20th) | 26.1 (12th) |
| Field Goal % | 46.2% (15th) | 47.1% (10th) |
| 3-Point % | 35.2% (18th) | 36.8% (8th) |
Recent Team Forms
Both teams have been competitive, but Detroit’s consistency shines through.
Houston Rockets (Last 10 Games: 5-5)
The Rockets have alternated wins and losses recently, with a 3-11 road record since December 1 highlighting their away struggles. Key wins include a 119-110 home victory over New Orleans (Jan. 18) and a 111-106 win over San Antonio (Jan. 20). Losses have come against strong defenses like Oklahoma City (91-111 on Jan. 15) and Philadelphia (122-128 OT on Jan. 22). Offensively, they’ve averaged 110.8 PPG in this stretch, but their defense has slipped to 112.4 PPG allowed.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 22 | @ PHI | L | 122-128 (OT) | Durant: 37 PTS |
| Jan. 20 | vs. SAS | W | 111-106 | Thompson: 23 PTS, 11 REB |
| Jan. 18 | vs. NOP | W | 119-110 | Smith Jr.: 32 PTS |
| Jan. 16 | vs. MIN | L | 105-111 | Sengun: 21 PTS, 8 REB |
| Jan. 15 | vs. OKC | L | 91-111 | Durant: 26 PTS |
| Jan. 13 | vs. CHI | W | 120-113 | Thompson: 31 PTS, 13 REB |
| Jan. 11 | @ SAC | L | 98-111 | Durant: 18 PTS |
| Jan. 9 | @ POR | L | 102-103 | Durant: 37 PTS |
| Jan. 7 | @ POR | L | 102-103 | Eason: 13 REB |
| Jan. 5 | vs. PHX | W | 100-97 | Durant: 26 PTS |
Detroit Pistons (Last 10 Games: 8-2)
The Pistons have won seven of their last eight, showcasing elite defense (holding opponents under 105 PPG in wins). Standout performances include a 121-78 blowout of Indiana (Jan. 17) and a 112-104 road win over New Orleans (Jan. 21 without Cunningham). Their only recent home loss was to the Clippers (92-98 on Jan. 10).
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | @ NOP | W | 112-104 | Duren: 20 PTS, 15 REB |
| Jan. 19 | vs. BOS | W | 104-103 | Cunningham: 25 PTS (if played; otherwise Jenkins: 17 PTS) |
| Jan. 17 | vs. IND | W | 121-78 | Robinson: 15 PTS |
| Jan. 15 | vs. PHX | W | 108-105 | Cunningham: 31 PTS |
| Jan. 10 | vs. LAC | L | 92-98 | Robinson: 20 PTS |
| Jan. 7 | vs. CHI | W | 108-93 | Duren: 18 PTS, 12 REB |
| Jan. 5 | vs. NYK | W | 121-90 | Ivey: 22 PTS |
| Jan. 4 | @ CLE | W | 114-110 | Cunningham: 28 PTS |
| Jan. 1 | vs. MIA | L | 112-118 | Cunningham: 31 PTS |
| Dec. 29 | @ IND | W | 126-119 | Harris: 24 PTS |
Series History
The Pistons hold a slight all-time edge (77-75 in 152 regular-season meetings), but Houston has won 4 of the last 6 overall. This season, Detroit is 2-0 against the Rockets, both wins coming in Houston. Key trends: The under has hit in 4 of the last 5 meetings, with games averaging 216.8 total points.
| Date | Location | Result | Score | Spread Covered? |
| Jan. 20, 2025 | Houston | DET Win | 107-96 | DET +7.5 |
| Oct. 24, 2025 | Houston | DET Win | 115-111 | DET +6.5 |
| Nov. 10, 2024 | Detroit | HOU Win | 101-99 | DET +4.0 (Push) |
| Jan. 12, 2024 | Detroit | DET Win | 112-110 | DET +9.0 |
| Jan. 1, 2024 | Houston | HOU Win | 136-113 | HOU -9.0 |
Betting Trends
Against the Spread (ATS): Rockets 20-21-1 (48.8% cover rate); Pistons 23-18-1 (56.1% cover rate). Houston is 5-5 ATS in last 10, while Detroit is 6-4 ATS over the same span. Pistons are 14-6 ATS at home.
Over/Under (O/U): Rockets games hit over 19-22-1 (45.2%); Pistons 17-25-0 (40.5%, leaning under). Last 10 Pistons games average 228.4 total points, but they’ve gone under in 14 of last 17 home games vs. Houston.
Moneyline (ML): Rockets 1-2 as underdogs this year. Detroit is 17-4 straight-up at home.
Recent Trends: Pistons 4-1 straight-up last 5, but 2-3 ATS. Rockets 3-7 straight-up on the road last 10, 4-6 ATS. The under is 10-7 in Detroit’s last 17 games.
Detroit’s home dominance (17-4) and 8-2 record in last 10 outweigh Houston’s road woes (11-13 away, 3-11 since Dec. 1). With Cunningham likely returning, the Pistons’ depth gives them a 65% implied win probability (adjusted for injuries). Houston covers 48% of spreads and has kept games close against top teams (e.g., OT loss to PHI). Pistons are 2-3 ATS last 5; expect a competitive matchup where the Rockets cover in a low-scoring affair. Both defenses rank top-5 (DET No. 2, HOU No. 5). Last 5 meetings averaged under 220 points, and Pistons games trend under (17-25).
Game Odds
Houston Rockets 216.5
Detroit Pistons – 4.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 22, 2026
