After Detroit’s home win over Toronto on Saturday night, the historic 28-game losing streak for the Pistons (3-29) is no more.
So, as they start the 2024 calendar year with a New Year’s Day game at Houston’s Toyota Center on Monday, are Cade Cunningham and the Pistons primed for a letdown after that emotional win? Or do they finally have some semblance of momentum?
Jalen Green and the host Rockets (15-15) should have ample motivation, since they’ve lost three straight games and are hoping to avoid falling below .500 for the first time in nearly a month.
Green enters on something of a hot streak and historically comes out aggressively in matchups versus Cunningham, who was the only player picked ahead of Green in the 2021 NBA draft.
Houston is, however, still short-handed at its forward spots. Small forward Dillon Brooks remains sidelined by a right oblique strain for at least a few more days, while Jabari Smith Jr. — the usual starter at power forward — is questionable with a left ankle sprain.
The #Rockets upgraded Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) to questionable for Monday's game.
Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) remains out
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 31, 2023