Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin laments Houston Rockets’ march to free throw line in loss on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018.
Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press
HOUSTON — The Detroit Pistons finally faced a Western Conference opponent Wednesday night.
They faced one of the best.
And the Houston Rockets acted like one of the best when they took control in the second half on the way to a 126-124 victory at Toyota Center.
James Harden, the league’s reigning MVP, scored 43 points and added nine assists for the Rockets (9-7), who have won five straight.
The Pistons trailed by 14 points early in the fourth quarter, but a barrage of Blake Griffin 3-pointers narrowed the deficit.
Griffin nailed five straight in the fourth quarter — his last 3-pointer came at the 1:26 mark to cut the deficit to 120-116.
But he committed two turnovers on the next possessions — his eighth and ninth of the evening.
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Griffin finished with 37 points on 9-for-21 shooting (6-for-9 from 3-point range).
He added 11 rebounds and four assists.
Rockets center Clint Capela finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds.
Andre Drummond scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Pistons (8-7), who saw a three-game road winning streak snapped.
Drummond was very effective in the first half.
He started the scoring by making a 3-pointer.
And he outplayed Capela — when he was on the floor.
Foul trouble limited Drummond to 11 minutes in the first half.
He finished the half with 11 points and five rebounds, but whenever Drummond left the floor, Capela feasted inside.
The Rockets lived at the free throw line, making 33-of-36.
Contact Vince Ellis: vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.
