The Thunder are hosting the Pistons on Monday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Oklahoma City is favored by 11.5 points and this game carries a total of 218.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick for this matchup.
Thunder vs. Pistons preview
The Thunder and Pistons are the top seeds in the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively, and in the first matchup of the season between these contenders, the Pistons defeated the Thunder 124-116 in Detroit in late February. However, this game is rather irrelevant, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was out for the Thunder while the Pistons were at full strength.
This time around, Thunder should have most of their key players available while Detroit will be shorthanded. Oklahoma City just played last night, so Jalen Williams feels likely to sit, as he just returned from a month long absence due to a hamstring injury, but Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren should be active, as this is still an important game for the Thunder, with the Spurs only 2.5 games back for the No.1 seed in the Western Conference.
The Pistons, on the other hand, haven’t played since Saturday, but Cade Cunningham (lung) and Isaiah Stewart (calf) have been ruled out and Jalen Duren (knee), Tobias Harris (hip) and Duncan Robinson (hip) are all doubtful. Ausar Thompson (ankle) is also questionable, but he was at shoot-around this morning, so he should play.
The Pistons are impressively 3-1 with both Cunningham and Duren inactive this season, but Robinson was the team’s leading scorer in those contests and Stewart was a big factor in two of these tilts. Detroit will be without five of their top seven players tonight. While Daniss Jenkins and Paul Reed may produce strong stat lines as the Pistons’ leaders, competing with the defending champion Thunder on their home floor will be very difficult for Detroit.
Oklahoma City owns the best record in the league at 59-16, and the club ranks first in net rating. The Thunder have only lost once in their last 15 and they tallied a 111-100 home win over the Knicks last night. Playing two games in two nights is usually a concern, but Oklahoma City didn’t have to travel and the team is 2-0 this season when playing their second straight home game in two days.
Gilgeous-Alexander ranks second in the NBA in scoring with 31.4 PPG and the guard is a -275 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook to win MVP for the second year in a row. With or without Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander should put up big numbers tonight against the depleted Pistons and likely lead his team to an easy victory.
Thunder vs. Pistons pick, best Bet
While the Pistons have been successful with key players out this season, this is the most they have been understaffed all season and they are facing the best team in the NBA on their home floor.
Oklahoma City is going to win this game without much trouble and the club is a strong bet to cover this 11.5-point spread.
