Houston at Detroit

Houston is outscoring opponents by +2.1, the sixth-best differential in the Western Conference. The vast improvement has come on the defensive end, second in the NBA in points given up (110.6 per game), third in field goal shooting allowed (45.2%), and No. 1 at defending the 3-pointer (33.4%). The Rockets are 9-0 ATS after having lost three of four. The Pistons are on a mind-numbing 1-34 SU, 11-23-1 ATS run. They're without leading scorer Cade Cunningham (knee) and just got blown out at home by San Antonio, 130-108, the second-worst team in the NBA. Detroit is 26th in points given up (123 per game), 26th in field goal shooting allowed (49.6%), and 24th at defending beyond the arc (38.4%). They're getting outscored by minus 11.7 points per contest, the worst differential in the league. Detroit is on a 22-34 spread run at home, plus 3-12 ATS in non-conference action. Play Houston.