Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets on Saturday, January 16 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Rockets at only 57%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Rockets 57%, with a projected score of Detroit Pistons 112, Houston Rockets 114. The rating gap is 52 points in favor of the Pistons, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Rockets on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 43 times in 100 games like this, the Pistons would win.
Recent form
The Pistons are 2-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +2.2. The Rockets are 2-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +5.4.
The Pistons' best recent win was 115-94 on the road against CLE.
The Pistons were beaten 125-94 at home by CLE not long ago.
The Rockets' best recent win was 115-96 at home against LAL.
The Rockets were beaten 98-78 at home by LAL not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Jalen Duren (DET), expected back Oct 27, 2026, Ugonna Onyenso (DET), Fred VanVleet (HOU), expected back Oct 26, 2026, and Steven Adams (HOU), expected back Oct 26, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Ausar Thompson (DET), Elijah Harkless (DET), Isaac Jones (DET), and Reed Sheppard (HOU). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the series is even, with the Pistons outscoring the Rockets by an average of 1.5 points per game. The last meeting was HOU 111, DET 104.