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Houston (6-3) at Detroit (4-5) 7:30 pm EST

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets have a habit of barely holding on to big leads. Lately, the Detroit Pistons are happy to have a lead at all.

The Rockets will travel to the Motor City to take on the struggling Pistons on Saturday.

Tracy McGrady collected 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists and Yao Ming added 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Rockets survived a 37-point effort from Ben Gordon and edged the Chicago Bulls, 101-100, on Thursday.

Bulls forward Andres Nocioni rattled in a 3-pointer on the final play of the game with Shane Battier closely guarding him. It was a little too close for coach Jeff Van Gundy's comfort, as the Rockets forward could have been called for a foul - resulting in a potential game-tying four-point play.

But it should not have gotten to that point for Houston, which had a 19-point lead against the San Antonio Spurs before being outscored, 49-28, in the second half and absorbing a 92-84 setback Tuesday. Against Chicago, the Rockets were in front by as many as 21 points, but barely held on.

Detroit, who has been playing poorly, almost surrendered a big lead of its own. Richard Hamilton scored 27 points to lead six players in double figures as the Pistons survived a late charge for an 100-91 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday.

Temperamental Rasheed Wallace had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Tayshaun Prince also scored 20 for Detroit, which had lost four of its last five overall and three straight against the Wizards.

Chauncey Billups collected 12 points and 10 assists and Hunter chipped in 12 off the bench for the Pistons, who shot 43 percent (38-of-88).

Houston has lost its last five games against Detroit.