Kevin Durant (37 points, 50% FG) was brilliant, but it was a bad night for all of Houston’s young prospects in Friday’s home loss versus Detroit.
HOUSTON — In Friday’s regular-season home opener at Toyota Center, Kevin Durant delivered exactly what Rockets fans were hoping for.
In 37 minutes, the 37-year-old All-Star finished with a game-high 37 points and 3 steals while making 9-of-18 shots; all three of his 3-point attempts; and 16-of-18 from the free-throw line (88.9%).
Unfortunately, in a 115-111 loss (box score) to the visiting Detroit Pistons, the future Hall of Famer didn’t have much help on offense.
Among Houston’s recent first-round draft picks who are all 24 years old or younger, key statistical lines included:
- Alperen Sengun: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers; 5-of-18 shooting (27.8%), 0-of-2 on 3-pointers
- Amen Thompson: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers; 2-of-8 shooting (25.0%), 6-of-10 on free throws (60.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 6 rebounds; 3-of-14 shooting (21.4%)
- Reed Sheppard: 9 points, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 assist; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%)
- Tari Eason: 4 points, 5 rebounds; 2-of-5 shooting (40.0%)
All-Star guard Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 21 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds, shooting 7-of-16 from the field (43.8%) and 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%).
As a team, the Pistons were dynamic from 3-point range at 16-of-39 (41.0%), and that easily outpaced Houston’s 10-of-22 total (45.5%).
Though the Rockets again started a large starting lineup featuring two centers in Sengun and Steven Adams and two additional 6-foot-11 players in Durant and Smith, the Pistons actually outrebounded Houston for the game, 48-45.
Furthermore, many of Detroit’s treys came versus Houston’s zone defense, which Ime Udoka often runs to try and overcome the lack of agility in “double big” lineups.
The Rockets return to action Monday night with another home game versus Brooklyn, with tipoff from Toyota Center scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central. That game will be televised regionally via Space City Home Network and nationally through NBA League Pass.
