Detroit @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 23, 2018 ) Houston 111, Detroit 116

James Harden looks to continue his stellar scoring outputs when the Houston Rockets host the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Harden poured in 54 points in Friday's 130-107 road victory over the Orlando Magic for his fifth 50-point effort of the season and 23rd of his career.

Harden has reached at least 50 in back-to-back games and stands two behind third-place Kobe Bryant for most 50-point performances in NBA history, and he also joined Stephen Curry as the only players to make at least 10 3-pointers in consecutive games. "I finally get a regular defensive coverage," Harden told reporters of drilling 10 3-pointers against Orlando. "Other games, it has been box-and-ones, triple teams and double teams. Feels good to finally have somebody one-on-one." Detroit has won four of its past six games despite losing to the Dallas Mavericks 122-111 on Thursday in Mexico City. Backup guard Derrick Rose made a season-high five 3-pointers while scoring 19 points and has scored in double digits in eight straight games.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (10-15): Center Andre Drummond had 23 points and 15 rebounds and enjoyed playing in Mexico City but almost had to miss the game when he had an allergic reaction to an avocado that caused severe inflammation around his eyes. “It was scary,” Drummond told reporters. “I couldn’t really see out of my left eye for 48 hours. Sat out both practices. Medical staff did an amazing job to get me ready for (the game) and I played to the best of my ability.” Forward Blake Griffin (10 points on 3-of-16 shooting) and guard Luke Kennard (eight on 3-of-13) had poor outings against the Mavericks.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (17-8): Harden has scored 109 points in the past two games - he had 55 against Cleveland on Wednesday - and his teammates don't always believe what they are witnessing. "It is unbelievable," backup guard Ben McLemore said in a postgame television interview. "I was telling him on the bench, 'Opposing and playing against you, and now being able to play with you and seeing this stuff that you do each and every night is amazing. Obviously, he's a Hall of Famer." McLemore, who is thriving with the Rockets did some fine sharpshooting of his own as he was 6-of-7 from 3-point range and scored 18 points.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Harden averaged 38 points and 8.5 assists but also committed 6.5 turnovers per outing as the Rockets and Pistons split last season's two meetings.

2. Griffin is averaging 7.5 points on 4-of-25 shooting - including 1-of-13 from 3-point range - over the past two games.

3. Houston backup C Tyson Chandler (illness) sat out against Orlando and is questionable for Saturday.

PREDICTION: Rockets 116, Pistons 105