At 18 consecutive losses, the Houston Rockets already have the longest losing streak in franchise history. If at all possible, they’d like to avoid making broader history, and Friday’s home game versus the struggling Detroit Pistons could offer an opportunity to do that.
The 2020-21 Rockets are currently just two losses away from hitting 20, which would put them among the 10 worst skids in NBA history. But the Pistons happen to be one of only two teams with a worse record this season, which should make it a friendlier matchup than most.
As head coach Stephen Silas sees it, the most encouraging sign is health. Christian Wood and Danuel House Jr. returned to Houston’s lineup on Wednesday, while John Wall (left knee contusion) was upgraded to questionable for Friday’s game and appears likely to play in his first game since the All-Star break. If Wall starts, it will be the first game for the Rockets with their desired starting lineup in over six weeks.
The Rockets will also benefit from the availability of backcourt mate Victor Oladipo, who missed Wednesday’s loss to Golden State due to planned maintenance on the second game of a back-to-back.
Here’s when you should tune in to see Friday’s game:
- Date: Friday, March 19
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (11-28)
- Guard: John Wall
- Guard: Victor Oladipo
- Forward: Danuel House Jr.
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Center: Christian Wood
Detroit Pistons (11-29)
- Guard: Frank Jackson
- Guard: Delon Wright
- Forward: Jerami Grant
- Forward: Saddiq Bey
- Center: Mason Plumlee
Beyond Wall, the Rockets do still have a handful of impactful injuries. Eric Gordon (right groin strain), David Nwaba (right wrist sprain) and Dante Exum (right calf strain) are all out, while Ben McLemore (left ankle sprain) is questionable. But for a team that hasn’t had its expected starting lineup in over six weeks while being reduced to the minimum of eight active players on some nights, that list is much more reasonable.
Detroit is dealing with its own wave of injuries, with Hamidou Diallo, Wayne Ellington, Killian Hayes, Rodney McGruder, and Jahlil Okafor all listed as out due to various conditions. The Pistons do enter with some momentum, having secured a surprising 116-112 victory (box score) over Toronto on Wednesday night. Rookie Saddiq Bey led the way with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Jerami Grant added 23 points.
In January, the Rockets defeated the Pistons by just a point in Detroit (recap), with Grant drawing what would have been a foul (and potential game-winning free throws) only a split-second after time had run out.
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Christian Wood missed that earlier Rockets-Pistons clash due to injury. Thus, Friday will be Wood’s first chance to play his former team since leaving Detroit for Houston in the 2020 offseason.
Though Wood had his minutes limited in his return Wednesday, he was still extremely effective with 21 points (66.7% FG) and 9 rebounds in 26 minutes. The big man is expected to be on a similar minutes restriction Friday before potentially having it lifted for next week’s games.
Note: This post first appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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