The Oklahoma City Thunder built a 21-point lead over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night before a buzzer-beating three by Ja’Kobe Walter cut it to 18. Trailing 98-80, the Raptors went on a tear to start the fourth period, tying the score at 101-101 with just over 4 minutes left to play. OKC responded with a 9-point run before eventually winning 116-107
Tonight, OKC takes on Detroit in the second game of a back-to-back against the freshly rested Pistons. Both teams are tied in the loss column for the fewest defeats in the NBA, but OKC holds 3 more wins over Detroit. Also, the Pistons enter this game completely healthy, whereas the Thunder is missing four starters on top of other key players.
Leaving with a win would be a tall order under normal circumstances, but especially considering how injured the Thunder is, it’s not likely to happen. Still, OKC’s depth could keep the game interesting, and if Detroit isn’t careful, the Thunder could sneak home with another impressive win on the road.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 6:30 PM CT
Location: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Michigan)
Television: ESPN
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: Cason Wallace
- SG: Isaiah Joe
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Kenrich Williams
- C: Jaylin Williams
Pistons
- PG: Cade Cunningham
- SG: Duncan Robinson
- SF: Ausar Thompson
- PF: Tobias Harris
- C: Jalen Duren
Injury Report
Thunder
- Alex Caruso (sprained left ankle) is DOUBTFUL.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (strained abdominal) is OUT.
- Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus injury management) is OUT.
- Chet Holmgren (low back spasms) is DOUBTFUL.
- Ajay Mitchell (strained abdominal) is OUT.
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring) is OUT.
Pistons
- Bobi Klintman (G League — on assignment) is OUT.
- Chaz Lanier (G League — on assignment) is OUT.
- Wendell Moore Jr. (G League — two-way) is OUT.
- Isaiah Stewart (league suspension) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 22-10 against the Pistons (12-3 at home, 10-7 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 8 times.
- The Thunder went 2-0 against the Pistons last season (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).