The Oklahoma City Thunder has claimed sole possession of first place in the Western Conference standings as the Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a decision in San Antonio against the Spurs on Saturday. Now the Thunder takes on the Pistons in Detroit with the opportunity to put a little more distance ahead of the Wolves and the climbing Los Angeles Clippers.
The Pistons are in shambles as an organization, and it’s hard to tell what exactly they’re trying to accomplish this season. Back in October, it appeared as if they had all the solid young pieces to start pushing towards the future, but with the way they have played—managing just 5 wins amidst a record-setting 28-game losing streak—who knows what they are doing?
It’s all business for OKC, however, as they must approach every game with a focused mindset and the realization that every night someone is looking to take them down as the top team in the West.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 1 PM CT
Location: Little Caesar’s Arena (Detroit, Michigan)
Television: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Detroit Pistons Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Pistons
- PG: Killian Hayes
- SG: Cade Cunningham
- SF: Ausar Thompson
- PF: Isaiah Stewart
- C: Jalen Duren
Injury Report
Thunder
- Ousmane Dieng is OUT (G League — on assignment).
- Tre Mann is OUT (not with team).
Pistons
- Malcolm Cazalon is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Cade Cunningham is PROBABLE (left knee injury management).
- Monte Morris is PROBABLE (right quadriceps injury management).
- Jared Rhoden is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Stanley Umude is OUT (G League — two-way).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 21-9 against the Pistons (12-3 at home, 9-6 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Pistons 7 times, lost it 1 time, and tied it 7 times.
- The Thunder went 1-1 against the Pistons last season (1-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).
- The Thunder is 1-0 against the Pistons so far this season (1-0 at home, 0-0 on the road).