01/23/26 08:58:00
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01/23 20:56 CST Kevin Durant's 32 points helps Houston Rockets end Detroit
Pistons' 4-game winning streak
Kevin Durant's 32 points helps Houston Rockets end Detroit Pistons' 4-game
winning streak
By DAVE HOGG
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) --- Kevin Durant scored 32 points as the Houston Rockets ended the
Detroit Pistons' four-game winning streak with a 111-104 victory Friday night.
Durant averages 30.6 points in 32 career games against the Pistons - his
highest average against any other team. He added seven rebounds and three
assists in 40 minutes without a turnover.
Alperen Sengun scored 19 points and Reed Shepherd added 18 points for the
Rockets, who have won four of five. Amen Thompson had 15 points, nine rebounds
and seven assists for Houston, which had lost five straight on the road.
Jalen Duren led Detroit with 18 points and seven rebounds, but Detroit's other
four starters combined for 37 points on 13-of-35 shooting (37.1%).
Houston outscored Detroit 34-20 in the third quarter to turn a tie game into an
86-72 lead. Durant and Sheppard combined for 18 points in the quarter on
7-for-8 shooting.
Detroit got within 87-80 with a four-point possession early in the fourth. Cade
Cunningham missed, but Jae'Sean Tate was called for a flagrant foul when he
undercut Ron Holland II as he went for the rebound. Holland made both free
throws and Duren dunked off a Cunningham lob.
After a Rockets turnover, Isaiah Stewart's three-point play made it 87-83, but
the Pistons couldn't get even.
Josh Okogie's 3-pointer made it 101-93 with 5:19, and Houston moved the lead
back to double figures on Shepherd's layup with 2:04 left.
Durant had 18 points in the first half, but the Pistons had a 36-24 edge in
points in the paint to keep the game tied at 52 going into the third quarter.
Houston's defense stepped up early in the third quarter, holding Cunningham and
Duncan Robinson to two shot attempts in the first eight minutes. The Rockets
outshot Detroit 68.4% (13-19) to 36.4% (8---22) in the period.
Up next
Rockets: Host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
Pistons: Host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday afternoon.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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