HOUSTON — Before Monday’s matchup began, Cade Cunningham stressed the importance of this game for the Detroit Pistons. He called for a rare, emergency, last-minute team meeting at the free-throw line near Detroit’s bench roughly 10 minutes before tipoff.

Given how much twins Amen and Ausar Thompson are lumped together, even when being praised by NBA stars for their athleticism, head-to-head matchups provide an opportunity for separation. The Detroit Pistons’ 107-96 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday was Ausar’s first NBA win against Amen.

After coming up empty in their short homestand last week, the Detroit Pistons hope to get back on the winning track to stay in the postseason hunt when they visit the Houston Rockets on Sunday afternoon.