Backups jump-start Pistons over Rockets
HOUSTON -- Stanley Johnson drilled a 3-pointer with 32.4 seconds remaining and the Detroit Pistons erased a 12-point, second-half deficit to top the Houston Rockets 114-109 on Friday night at Toyota Center.
The Pistons (36-43) mostly played reserves down the stretch yet maintained their slim playoffs hopes with their comeback. Johnson finished with 13 points off the bench, one of three Detroit reserves to score in double figures.
Backup center Boban Marjanovic scored a career-high 27 points and added 12 rebounds while Tobias Harris added 17 points for Detroit. Ish Smith scored 20 points while rookie Henry Ellenson had a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds).
James Harden led Houston with 33 points and 12 assists, and his 3-pointer with 2:22 left gave the Rockets (53-26) a 105-101 lead. But Harden missed a pair of late 3s and Houston was unable to stem the Pistons' tide in the waning moments.
Houston received double-digit scoring efforts off the bench from Lou Williams (15), Eric Gordon (13) and center Montrezl Harrell (13).
The Pistons' rally from 12 points down came courtesy of Marjanovic, whose 17 first-half points represented a season high. Matched up against the undersized Harrell, Marjanovic had his way in the post in the second quarter. Houston went cold as Marjanovic warmed up, and after shooting 7 of 14 from deep in the first quarter, Houston missed 10 of 12 3s in the second.
Harden caught fire in third quarter and helped the Rockets re-establish their double-digit lead, which they subsequently relinquished again in the fourth. With Houston leading 63-61, Harden buried a corner 3 and followed with another from the top of the key. He added a driving layup and another 3 down the stretch of the third before closing the frame with a Eurostep to beat Marjanovic at the rim.
NOTES: Houston coach Mike D'Antoni began the process of resting his regulars in preparation for the postseason, designating Rockets C Clint Capela a healthy scratch. D'Antoni plans to rest G Eric Gordon in one of the upcoming back-to-back road games against the Kings and Clippers on Sunday and Monday. ... Pistons rookie F Henry Ellenson made his first career start, posting 15 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes. Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy wants to get an extended look at Ellenson, who had played in just 15 games before Friday night. ... Rockets F Ryan Anderson (right ankle) returned from a six-game injury hiatus and logged 13 minutes, all in the first half, and finished with nine points and three rebounds.