Pistons welcome Rockets to Motown

The teams will play once more during the regular season. The Pistons are scheduled to host the Rockets on March 22nd at the Toyota Center.

Houston plays the first of a brief two-game road trip. On Thursday, Tracy McGrady posted 21 points and 11 rebounds to lift the Rockets to a 101-100 win over the Chicago Bulls at the Toyota Center.

All-Star center Yao Ming finished with 20 points and 12 boards in the win over Chicago for the Rockets, who have won five of their last six games overall. Rafer Alston scored 19 points and Luther Head netted 13 in the victory.

The Rockets are 3-2 on the road this season. They will visit the New York Knicks on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Meanwhile, the Pistons ended a two-game losing streak with Friday’s 100-91 home win over the Washington Wizards.

Richard Hamilton poured in 27 points on 11-of-27 shooting at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Rasheed Wallace totaled 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Tayshaun Prince also scored 20 and had seven boards for the Pistons, who avoided their first three-game losing streak since March of 2005.

Chauncey Billups had 12 points and 10 assists and Lindsey Hunter added 12 points for Detroit, which overcame a nine-point deficit in the second quarter and used a big third period to seal the win.

Detroit is 1-1 on a three-game homestand and has won five in a row against the Rockets. The Pistons won the 2005-06 season series with Houston, 2-0, and have won seven of eight and 11 of the last 17 meetings.

Houston has lost five straight and nine of its last 10 at Detroit.