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Rapid Reaction: Houston Rockets 97, Detroit Pistons 80

Detroit Pistons 80 Final

Recap | Box Score

97 Houston Rockets
Chandler Parsons, F 31 MIN | 3-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 4 AST | 7 PTS | +14Continues to show he’s deserving of starting in the NBA. He never looks lost out there; just a very heady basketball player. Even though he lost it on the box score, Parsons didn’t look afraid for a second in his one on one battle with Tayshaun Prince.
Samuel Dalembert, C 34 MIN | 7-12 FG | 0-0 FT | 12 REB | 0 AST | 14 PTS | +23Led the team in minutes, had a game-high +/- of +23, and tied Scola with a team-high 14 points. When they’re active, Dalembert’s long limbs have the ability to completely alter Houston’s identity.
Kevin Martin, SG 28 MIN | 4-12 FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 11 PTS | +15He’s been inconsistent this season. 11 points on 12 shots isn’t terrible if you’re Courtney Lee, but Martin’s reputation leaves more to desire.
Goran Dragic, PG 18 MIN | 5-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 5 AST | 11 PTS | +6For the second straight game, Dragic came in as the angry backup who believes he should start. It’s the type of intensity opposing second units (and first units late in games) don’t want to see, and don’t look ready for.
Patrick Patterson, PF 24 MIN | 5-7 FG | 2-2 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 12 PTS | +3Was absolutely thrilled with this performance by Patrick Patterson; by far his best game of the year. He was both willing to shoot and making his shots, which is a great combination.

Five Things We Saw

  1. Rockets got to .500 by beating a team they should beat. That’s good news. It’s their fourth win in a row.
  2. No disrespect to the Washington Wizards and New Jersey Nets, but the Detroit Pistons might be the sorriest team in the NBA right now. They didn’t attempt their first free-throw until 3:34 remained in the third quarter, and their best player (Greg Monroe) was held to just four points on nine shots.
  3. It’s looking like Sam Dalembert is this team’s x-factor, and I’m not sure if that’s hopeful or terrifying. When he’s on—playing 30-plus minutes, defending the paint, finishing at the rim, and knocking down a respectable 10-footer—the Rockets are a different basketball team.
  4. Chandler Parsons put back dunks are the 2012 version of Kevin Love’s double doubles. Not sure if this streak will ever end.
  5. A bit strange in the category of scoring production: six players were in double figures, but nobody reached 15.

 

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