As with many members of the Houston Rockets, it’s been a rocky start to the 2020-21 season for veteran center DeMarcus Cousins. He’s averaging 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game, but on shooting figures of just 29.7% overall and 25.0% on 3-pointers. At 30 years old and coming off significant leg injuries, it’s left many fans wondering whether Cousins can ever come close to recapturing his previous form.
But with regular starting center Christian Wood sidelined for Friday’s game in Detroit with an ankle sprain, Cousins will find himself thrust into the starting lineup, per head coach Stephen Silas. For the Rockets (4-9) to win and snap a skid in which they’ve now lost three straight games and five of six, they likely need their four-time All-Star to step up.
One encouraging development for the Rockets is the return to form (and health) shown by veteran guard Eric Gordon. After missing two games with leg tightness, Gordon has averaged 21.5 points per game over his last two outings on 48.6% shooting and 42.9% on 3-pointers.
With usual starter John Wall (left knee soreness) out for at least two more games, Houston needs Gordon’s strong play to continue. In Wall’s absence, Gordon has started next to Victor Oladipo in the backcourt.
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Here’s when you should tune in to see Friday’s game:
- Date: Friday, Jan. 22
- Time: 6:000 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (4-9)
- Guard: Victor Oladipo
- Guard: Eric Gordon
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: PJ Tucker
- Center: DeMarcus Cousins
Detroit Pistons (3-11)
- Guard: Delon Wright
- Guard: Wayne Ellington
- Forward: Jerami Grant
- Forward: Blake Griffin
- Center: Mason Plumlee
One benefit for Houston could be weaker competition. While they have lost five of six, it’s worth noting that four of those losses (Lakers twice, Spurs, and Suns) were against winning teams — and in the case of the Lakers, the defending NBA champions. Detroit, on the other hand, has the NBA’s worst record and winning percentage (3-11, .214).
On paper, that could give the Rockets an opportunity to get right. But with three starters in Wood, Wall, and Danuel House Jr. (self-isolation) sidelined, no win should be treated as a given. The Pistons are led by offseason signing Jerami Grant, who has surged to No. 12 on the NBA’s scoring list at an average of 25.4 points per game (38.9% on 3-pointers).
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By net rating, the Pistons are No. 21 in offensive rating (107.8) and No. 25 on defense (111.9). The Rockets are No. 24 on offense (107.3) and No. 15 on defense (109.6). Overall, the Rockets rank No. 21 in net rating (-2.3), while the Pistons are No. 26 (-4.1), according to NBA.com figures.
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