Detroit Pistons: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season
3. Pistons outlast James Harden and the Houston Rockets
We’re starting to go way back now — all the way back in the sixth week of the season, when we got to see Griffin go head-to-head with the reigning MVP.
Not only did Griffin (28 points, nine rebounds) show off his talent in his new home, but he and the Pistons also beat James Harden in overtime to show this team can play with anyone on any given night. The best part about this win was that they beat the Rockets, despite Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela scoring at least 20 points apiece.
Blake Griffin (28 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST) and James Harden (33 PTS, 8 AST) duel in the @HoustonRockets/@DetroitPistons OT thriller! #DetroitBasketball pic.twitter.com/hRflFOGZ7i
— NBA (@NBA) November 24, 2018
They beat the Rockets when they were at full strength, and they showed they could play together against the best. Griffin hitting late-game shots and trading blows with Eric Gordon down the stretch was a delight to watch.
Detroit still has room to grow, and will only get better with a better roster, but this game proves that the time is coming in the not-so-distant future for the Pistons to be one of the league’s heavyweights. It’s just going to take a little bit of time.
Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon trade buckets late to force overtime in Detroit!
— NBA (@NBA) November 24, 2018
Catch the extra action on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/qvY9QnPAA2