The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night at Paycom Center. Tip-off is set for 9:30PM ET. Oklahoma City holds the best record in the Western Conference at 63-12 and has won 10 games in a row. Detroit is 42-33 and currently fifth in the East.
These teams last met on March 15 in Detroit, with the Thunder pulling out a 113-107 win. Cade Cunningham was ejected in that game, and now he’s doubtful for this one due to a calf injury. Detroit will also be without Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland II, and Marcus Sasser after a suspension related to a scuffle against Minnesota.
Thunder Preview – Closing in on a Record
Oklahoma City has been the top team in the West all season. They are 28-1 against Eastern Conference teams, with the only loss coming in January at Cleveland. A win on Wednesday would tie the franchise record for single-season wins, originally set in 1996 when the team was still in Seattle.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the team and scored 27 points with 12 assists in the last game against Chicago. Isaiah Joe added 31 points, hitting six threes. Joe is shooting 53.2% from deep over his last eight games, making over four per contest during that stretch.
The Thunder are allowing just 106.9 points per game, which ranks second in the league. They also rank top five in blocks, steals, and turnover margin. Their defense is holding opponents to 43.5% shooting, the best in the NBA.
Pistons Preview – Short-Handed on the Road
Detroit has won three of its last four games without Cade Cunningham, who remains doubtful with a calf injury. Tobias Harris is expected to return after missing two games with an Achilles issue. But the Pistons are now down several rotation players due to suspensions following a fight in their last game.
In their last outing, Malik Beasley led the team with 27 points while Tim Hardaway Jr. added 20. Jalen Duren had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Dennis Schroder continues to run the offense, finishing with 11 assists in that game.
The Pistons average 115.5 points per game but allow nearly the same amount. They rank outside the top 20 in team defense and turnovers. Detroit is 21-17 on the road and has hit the first quarter moneyline in 27 of their last 42 away games.
Betting Prediction
Oklahoma City has covered the spread in 58 of its last 90 games and has been dominant at home with a 33-5 record. The Thunder are also 50-22-4 ATS this season. Detroit is missing multiple starters and could be without its top scorer again in Cunningham.
The Thunder won the last meeting by six on the road, and they’ve only gotten stronger since. With Detroit short-handed and Oklahoma City fully locked in, this looks like a spot where the Thunder can pull away early and cover a large spread. Expect a final score around 122-104.
Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -13
The Thunder should win this one fairly easily over the Detroit Pistons. Take Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
