Game #49 Preview | Detroit Pistons

Tip-Off: 4 PM CT

Location: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, MI)

Television: FSOK

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal

Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game

Russell Westbrook put up a season-high 46 points on Thursday as the Thunder picked up their sixth consecutive win to get to 28-20 on the season, their best mark of the season so far. Oklahoma City has the NBA’s longest active win streak, and unfortunately for Detroit, the Pistons are the owners of the league’s longest active losing streak at six.

The Thunder is tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the loss column, and fourth place is within reach. The three seed is also nearby, with the San Antonio Spurs just two losses fewer than Oklahoma City. The Thunder need to continue their trek to a better position in the standings and take advantage of a depleted Pistons squad who can’t seem to find a win lately.

 

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Russell Westbrook
  • SG: Andre Roberson
  • SF: Paul George
  • PF: Carmelo Anthony
  • C: Steven Adams

Pistons

  • PG: Langston Galloway
  • SG: Avery Bradley
  • SF: Stanley Johnson
  • PF: Tobias Harris
  • C: Andre Drummond

Injuries

Thunder

  • None

Pistons

  • Reggie Bullock (thumb) is QUESTIONABLE.
  • Reggie Jackson (right ankle sprain) is OUT.
  • Jon Leuer (left ankle sprain) is OUT.

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 13-5 against the Pistons (8-2 at home, 5-3 on the road).
  • In nine seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Pistons five times and tied four times.
  • The Thunder lost to the Pistons 99-98 earlier this season in Oklahoma City.
  • The 1-point loss to the Pistons earlier in the season is the Thunder’s closest loss of the season.
  • The Thunder struggled to get to the free throw line agains the Pistons in their matchup earlier this season, shooting just 6/8 (75%).
  • Andre Roberson played a career-high 42 minutes against the Pistons on November 24, 2017, in Oklahoma City.

Game Notes

  • Oklahoma City has won six games in a row, the longest active win streak in the NBA, while Detroit has lost six games in a row, the longest active losing streak in the NBA.
  • Oklahoma City is 7-3 in the last 10 games, while Detroit is 2-8.
  • Oklahoma City is 10-13 on the road, while Detroit is 13-9 at home.
  • Oklahoma City is 13-7 against the Eastern Conference, while Detroit is 9-7 against the Western Conference.
  • Oklahoma City is 16-12 in games coming off one day of rest, while Detroit is 3-4 coming off two days of rest.

Be sure to check out our latest episode of “Thunder Things with the Thunder Guys.”

Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

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