NBA: Pistons could be without All-Star Cade Cunningham against Rockets

The Detroit Pistons proved they can win without their best player on Wednesday, beating the New Orleans Pelicans 112-104 on the road. Now, they return home to face a much tougher opponent on Friday: the Houston Rockets.

All-Star starter Cade Cunningham missed the game against the Pelicans due to illness and a left hip contusion. Despite his absence, the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons showcased their depth once again.

Two-way player Daniss Jenkins stepped into the starting lineup, while Marcus Sasser provided support at the point guard position. The duo combined for 26 points and eight assists, helping Detroit secure its fourth straight win and seventh victory in eight games.

However, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff wasn’t completely satisfied with the performance.

“I trust our guys and their ability to figure it out; that is what they have done all year long,” Bickerstaff said. “But this was about us holding ourselves to the standard we need to play at. I feel we did not play to our standard. It is always good to win. We do not take it for granted. But we can play better and we will.”

Detroit struggled with turnovers, committing 20 in total, and was outscored in the paint 54-48 — a category where they typically dominate.

The Pistons received a strong performance from starting center Jalen Duren, who posted 20 points and 15 rebounds. Duren is Detroit’s second-leading scorer (17.8 points per game) and top rebounder (10.9 per game).

Bickerstaff is pushing for Duren to earn his first All-Star selection. The reserve players will be announced on Feb. 1.

“What he has done all year long has been All-Star worthy,” Bickerstaff said. “To do it on both ends of the floor impacts winning. It would be a shame if he did not make it. He has played better than any of the bigs in the Eastern Conference. He deserves the honor for sure.”

On Friday, Duren will face another talented young big man in Houston’s Alperen Şengün.

Cunningham’s status for Friday remains uncertain. He is listed as questionable on the injury report. In their first meeting this season, Cunningham led Detroit with 21 points and nine assists in a 115-111 win over the Rockets on Oct. 24, overcoming a 37-point performance from Kevin Durant.

Houston will be playing the second game of a back-to-back after losing in overtime to the Philadelphia 76ers, 128-122. Durant scored 36 points in that game.

Other Rockets players also contributed, including Amen Thompson, who finished with 17 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and three steals.

However, Şengün was held to 13 points, along with eight rebounds and seven assists. He averages 21.5 points per game and leads the Rockets in rebounds (9.3), assists (6.4), steals (1.4), and blocks (1.0).

“My worst performance this season,” Şengün told the Houston Chronicle. “I wasn’t that aggressive offensively. Actually, I started going good. I was confident. But the second half was just like — couldn’t feel it. And that was it.”

Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason combined for 27 points off the bench for Houston.

The Rockets will look to bounce back after a poor defensive showing, allowing the Sixers to shoot 55.1% from the field.

“Some plays that are hard to explain down the stretch,” a disappointed Rockets coach Ime Udoka said.

—Field Level Media/Reuters