Drummond, Harden sit as Pistons beat Rockets

Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza, left, Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith, center and Pistons forward Eric Moreland (24) chase the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT — Tobias Harris scored 27 points, and the Detroit Pistons held on for another win against one of the NBA’s top teams, 108-101 over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.

Detroit is only four games over .500, but the Pistons have beaten Golden State, Boston, San Antonio, Minnesota and now Houston. The Rockets are without injured star James Harden, but the Pistons were missing their own standout, with Andre Drummond sidelined because of a right rib contusion.

As usual, Houston relied heavily on 3-point shooting. The Rockets went 7 for 13 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, but were only 8 for 34 after that.

Detroit was the more efficient team from 3-point range, going 12 of 25.

Chris Paul had 16 points and 13 assists for Houston. Ish Smith scored 17 points for Detroit, and Dwight Buycks added a career-high 16.

There were eight lead changes and six ties in the first half, and Houston led 58-57 after two quarters. Detroit then outscored the Rockets 31-19 in the third. A dunk by Harris put the Pistons up 72-65, and Reggie Bullock’s 3 near the end of the period made it 86-72.

Houston rallied late and cut the deficit to four with 15.5 seconds left, but Smith made two free throws for Detroit at the other end.

TURNAROUND

The Pistons rebounded nicely from one of their worst games of the season, a 114-78 loss at Philadelphia on Friday night. Detroit is 5-2 in the second game of back-to-backs after going 3-14 last season.

TIP-INS

Rockets: Harden is out with a hamstring strain. Houston was also without C Nene, who has a bruised right knee.

Pistons: In addition to Drummond, Detroit was without G Reggie Jackson (sprained right ankle) and F Stanley Johnson (strained right hip flexor).

UP NEXT

Rockets: Visit the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

Pistons: Visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.