Houston Rockets vs Detroit Pistons Prediction 1/23/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons collide at Little Caesars Arena on Friday night. Here’s a Houston Rockets vs Detroit Pistons Prediction. This article will include a Houston Rockets vs Detroit Pistons Pick.

Houston Rockets Betting Preview 

The Houston Rockets have been in pretty good form lately as they’ve won four of their last six games overall. They will be hoping to bounce back here after having their three-game win streak snapped by the 76ers in a 128-122 overtime road defeat on Thursday. Kevin Durant led the team with 36 points on 13 of 21 shooting, Amen Thompson added 17 points while Reed Sheppard chipped in with 14 points off the bench.

As a team, the Rockets shot 46 percent and 18 of 40 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sloppy start and leaked 68 points in the first half to trail by nine points. However, the Rockets rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime only to go cold again and score just seven points to allow the 76ers off the hook in a disappointing finish. 

Detroit Pistons Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have been on a tear as they’ve won seven of their past eight games overall and they will be gunning for a fifth straight victory after beating the Pelicans in a 112-104 road win on Wednesday. Jalen Duren led the team with 20 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks on seven of 11 shooting, Duncan Robinson added 15 points while Daniss Jenkins chipped in with 17 points.

As a team, the Pistons shot 44 percent from the field and 15 of 39 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 68 points in the first half to jump out in front early. However, this was a dog fight till the end as the Pistons never led by more than 13 points at any stage. No bench player finished in double figures in scoring and Marcus Sasser shot just three of 11 from the field to finish with just nine points. 

Why the Detroit Pistons will win

• The Rockets have lost each of their last 15 games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Pistons have won nine of their last 10 games when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Pistons have covered the spread in each of their last six night games against Rockets teams that held a winning record.
• The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five road games.

Why the Houston Rockets will win

• The Rockets have won 11 of their last 12 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Pistons have lost eight of their last nine games at Little Caesars Arena against Southwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games as favorites following a road win.
• The Rockets have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents after coming off overtime.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Pistons’ last eight home games have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Ten of the Rockets’ last 12 games have gone UNDER the total points line.

Detroit Pistons Player Facts

• Isaiah Stewart ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for blocks per 36 minutes (3.1) this season.
• Duncan Robinson ranks 5th amongst qualified Forwards for three-pointers made per game (3.0) this season.

Houston Rockets Player Facts

• Amen Thompson ranks 5th in the league for points in the paint (516) this season.
• Kevin Durant is one of only 11 players in the league to have recorded 4+ blocks in consecutive games this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pistons rank 1st in the league for blocks per game this season (6.7).
• The Pistons rank 30th in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (22.5).
• The Rockets rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (16.1).
• The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (75.4%).

Houston Rockets vs Detroit Pistons Prediction

The Rockets are still missing Aaron Holiday and Steven Adams, while the Pistons have ruled out Caris LeVert with Cade Cunningham listed as questionable. These teams last met on Oct 24, and it was the Pistons who won by 115-111 on the road and given the recent form of both teams, I would expect another tight battle in this meeting.

The Rockets were starting to heat up before suffering an overtime loss to the 76ers on Thursday, but it’s the Pistons who enter as favorites at home as they’ve quietly been one of the hottest teams in the league. They are also a dominant 17-4 at home this season. With that being said, I am looking at the Pistons to continue their strong run with a narrow win and cover in this spot.

Peter Tran's Pick: Detroit -4.5