Tonight’s matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons should’ve been a premier all-eyes-on-this affair. Unfortunately, an extensive injury report for OKC means this won’t quite be the Finals preview we’d hoped for. Still, the Thunder have shown surprising fight recently while weathering health issues and may remain competitive tonight against Cade Cunningham and the top team in the Eastern Conference.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Detroit is a 10.5-point favorite at home with -440 odds to win on the Moneyline. The game total is set at 219.5 combined points.
Here are the top Thunder vs. Pistons prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for this matchup.
Best Thunder vs. Pistons player prop bets
Isaiah Joe 15+ points (-125)
Of the names on the injury report for the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell are all out while Chet Holmgren is doubtful. Yep, that’s an entire starting lineup of sidelined players. Some names on this roster have stepped up with other guys out though, namely Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace.
We’ll focus on the former here, especially given his play in recent weeks. Since Gilgeous-Alexander exited the lineup on February 4, Joe has averaged 28.2 minutes per game and produced quite well in the reigning MVP’s absence. While he averages just 11.0 PPG this season, he’s bumped that mark to 16.9 points without SGA. Joe has hit double-digit points in all but one of those games and exceeded 15+ points in six of those eight appearances as well. He’s played very efficient basketball, reaching his numbers on just 10.6 shots a night with a blazing 52.5% 3P%. Now coming off back-to-back games of 22 points, I like Joe’s chances to get to 15+ points once again tonight. Even in a poor matchup against one of the league’s elite defenses, he’s doing well in this elevated role and become an even more reliable contributor. For better value, consider 18+ points at +162 odds.
Jalen Duren 12+ rebounds (-109)
On the opposite side of this matchup, we’re taking advantage of the injuries to OKC. The Pistons are essentially fully healthy and All-Star center Jalen Duren gets to take on a decimated frontcourt assuming Holmgren also misses the game along with Hartenstein. On the season, Duren posts 10.5 rebounds per game while using his 6-foot-10, 250-pound frame to beat opponents for boards. He’s a very athletic and physical player, so this prop bet would look good to begin with even in a typical situation. He’s pulled down 12 boards in back-to-back games and five of his last 10.
However, the frontcourt rotation on the opposite end looks even more enticing to attack. Jaylin Williams is likely to start at center while Kenrich Williams probably enters the starting lineup at the four spot, especially with Aaron Wiggins probably sliding to the three. What that means is that Oklahoma City will be without its top two rebounders, setting up Duren to play against guys below his own pay grade. The Thunder already rank 15th in rebounds per game, 22nd in REB% and 23rd in opponent rebounds allowed to begin with. Factor in the talent disparity tonight and Duren is positioned to eat on the glass. I’m targeting 12+ boards to err on the safer side, but 13+ rebounds is available at +140 odds while 14+ comes in at +213.
