Pistons Beat Rockets 115-111 After Duren Ejection

The Detroit Pistons beat the Houston Rockets 115-111 in Houston for their first win of the season. Pistons center Jalen Duren was ejected in the second quarter for a flagrant-2 elbow to Amen Thompson; Duren finished with six points and six rebounds in 12 minutes and was tossed after an earlier scuffle and technicals, while Thompson was hurt but continued to play. Detroit battled heavy foul trouble (31 team fouls and 48 Rockets free-throw attempts) and lost rotation players Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland to fouling out, but Paul Reed blocked Alperen Şengün’s potential game-tying layup with 16 seconds left to preserve the victory. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as the Pistons shot 46.7% overall and 41% from three, holding the Rockets to 38.6% as Kevin Durant scored 37 points. Duren’s ejection could prompt league discipline and comes amid reported contract-extension talks. The Pistons head home for their season opener with momentum from the road win.