In Houston, the Pistons resist Kevin Durant

After losing in double overtime face au ThunderThe Rockets returned to their Toyota Center to welcome the Pistons and that’s it Kevin Durant (37 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) who starts hostilities with a 2+1 at mid-range. If Detroit commits a series of fouls and finds itself in the penalty box with just four minutes to play, it’s the visitors who lead the debates, initially, by taking advantage of the Rockets’ clumsiness.

However, at the end of the first quarter, the team of Ime Udoka finished 12-2 with a basket of Tara Eason which gives the lead back to Houston (28-27) except that same Tarry Eason fouls on a 3-point shot from Javonte Green. At the line, the former Bulls made two of his three attempts to put Detroit back in front. Short-lived progress because with five seconds on the clock, Alperen Sengun (17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) goes all over the court to score mid-range basket at the buzzer first quarter (33-32).

After continuing, Chaz Lanier scored the first points in the NBA on a long shot. Then, to take a five-point lead, Cade Cunningham (21 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists) sends Jalen Duren on an alley-oop dunk by Alperen Sengun.

CADE CUNNINGHAM ✈ OVER THE YEARS pic.twitter.com/9kKbFIhvtv

— Thibault Mairesse (@MNThibault_) October 25, 2025

This basket will be the pivot’s last great move. A few minutes later he received the ball under the basket, but Amen Thompson comes from behind to hit the ball and send it out of bounds. A gesture that annoys the inside of Detroit pushing Ausar’s brother and getting a technical foul. On the next action, he tried to get rid of Amen Thompson’s tag, but elbowed him in the face, which is synonymous with Flagrant Foul 2 and thus the ejection.

Despite these incidents, Detroit is ahead at halftime thanks to a Duncan Robinson author of four 3-point shots entering the locker room (63-56).

Detroit bends, but doesn’t break

At the end of the third act, Detroit still leads by a point (87-86) and Cade Cunningham, although discreet so far, decides to get out of his frame. Appears with two prize baskets, but Kevin Durant allows Houston to stay in the game. If the winger scored 14 of his 37 points in the final act, the Pistons still led by two points with 25 seconds left.

Kevin Durant picks up the ball and tries to play a pick and roll with Alperen Sengun, but Paul Reed deflects “KD’s” pass. The Turk somehow manages to receive the ball, but at the same time, former Sixers interior against Houston’s interior shooting.

Decisive action as Amen Thompson is forced to foul Cade Cunningham. At the line, the leader does not tremble and allows Detroit to win 115-111.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Lots of mistakes by Detroit : The Pistons could have easily won, but they made mistakes throughout the game. From the first minutes of the game, Detroit found itself in the penalty area and this problem was present throughout the match. Jalen Duren was ejected in the second quarter Ron Holland II etc Isaiah Stewart were sent off for six fouls. The Rockets made a total of 48 free throws for 32 of them. Beautiful waste…

– Kevin Durant gave everything, for nothing : Kevin Durant he felt responsible for OKC’s loss. To make up for it, the former Phoenix man shined with 37 units on 9/18 shooting and a perfect 3/3 from distance, including 14 points in the fourth quarter. He also came up with three interceptions, but it wasn’t enough to allow Houston to win its first game of the season.

– Paul Reid in The X Factor : Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart ruled out, Paul Reed called and he responded! In 20 minutes of the game, he contributed 13 points, but above all he managed to win a place against the great racket of Houston by winning nine rebounds. At the end of the match, he showed himself again by performing a defensive action that sealed the fate of the game.

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