Houston Rockets Grind Out 103-93 Win Over Detroit Pistons

After a badly-needed day off, your Houston Rockets are back in action tonight.

The Rockets were staring a two-game losing streak in the face and definitely needed a shot in the arm to get back to their winning ways.

Luckily, they were facing the Detroit Pistons, a team that is not as stiff of competition as the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies but is quite formidable since their one of the better rebounding teams in the league.

That’s largely the fact that Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe do most of the heavy lifting in that department.

Could they overcome what was their weakness in their last meeting?

Feb 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard

James Harden

(13) reacts after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Nets 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It’s safe to say yes.

In the first quarter, things remained close until about the 5:50 mark where James Harden drew a foul off Drummond while driving in for layup. He did make that layup in addition the penalty free throw.

Joey Dorsey slammed his way in with 5:12 left to complete a 5-0 run with the Rockets up 18-14.

The Rockets kept things in control from there leading the Pistons 29-23 at the end of the 1st.

In the 2nd quarter, the Rockets maintained their lead but Caron Butler did cut the Pistons deficit to two points after hitting a three with 7:26 left completing a 7-2 run. Rockets 34, Pistons 32

That’s the way the 2nd quarter played out, a Rocket would shoot their way to a lead but Butler would find a way to chip away at it as he continued his hot shooting. He had seven points for the quarter.

There were gasp all over the Houston area when Terrence Jones had to go out of the game with 8:38 left after coming down awkwardly from grabbing a rebound.

He did go to the locker room, was diagnosed with a right hip strain but returned to the bench later in the quarter.

With 57 seconds left, he declared he was fine as he gallantly entered the game and was able to connect on a three-point play the moment he got his hands on the ball with 28 seconds left. Rockets 54, Pistons 44

The Rockets continued to hold steady leading the Pistons at the half, 56-44 after two Monroe free throws.

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TJones and Harden took over the third quarter with each being hit key jumpers from just about everywhere, slashing to the basket for two, reverse layups, you name it they were the key to the Rockets sudden surge upward.

Perhaps the highlight to this quarter was when the Beard fooled another defender.

This time it was Spencer Dinwiddie as Harden went left, then right and drew a foul off him as he sunk a beautiful jumper while stepping back with one second left.

He connected on the free throw, his 30th point of the game, allowing the Rockets to lead 80-69 at the end of the third.

The 4th quarter was total domination by the Rockets as they continued to mount a 18-0 run leading 91-69 over the Pistons with them not scoring until the 8:01 mark.

Reggie Jackson was at the line for two off a Jason Terry foul as he connected on both.

Some of the starters were pulled — including Harden — and we got to see a glimpse of K.J. McDaniels but the Pistons reeled off a 14-2 run to close within 10 points with 2:27 left. Rockets 99, Pistons 89

He did score his first points as a Houston Rocket with 3:45 left off a turnaround jump shot.

But after a timeout called by the Rockets, the Beard went in, and drew fouls off Cartier Martin and Caldwell-Pope and was able to help keep the Pistons at bay for good for the final stretch. Final Score: Rockets 103, Pistons 93

Although the Rockets sputtered for a bit there, they found a way to win and that’s all that matters.

Harden led all scorers with 38 points, 12 rebounds, 12 dimes — a triple-double — including 16-for-18 shooting from the charity stripe.

This was remarkable — this was his third triple-double of this season and his fifth of this career!

And he only needed 21 shots to do it.

We almost take his greatness for granted. MVP! MVP!

By the way, Jones threw in 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in addition to Corey Brewer adding 15 points in 25 minutes off the bench.