Thunder Gameday: OKC Looks to Extend Winning Streak Against League-Worst Pistons

Winning in Detroit has been tough for the Thunder in recent years, but this season has already been much different.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to continue rolling against the worst team in the league.

The Thunder’s matchup with the Detroit Pistons will be one of the most lopsided battles on paper this season. With 27 more wins, the Thunder has a clear advantage.

This will be the second contest between the teams this season, as the first one in October started Detroit’s record-breaking 28-game losing streak. Considering Oklahoma City’s recent success and upcoming games with some of the best teams in the West, Sunday’s game could be easily overlooked.

Rick Osentoski / USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 13.5-point favorites against the Pistons, and the total over/under is 240.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Despite the Pistons’ awful record, they have been playing better basketball recently, partially because of two former Thunder players. The Pistons acquired Mike Muscala and Danilo Gallinari earlier this month, and they have helped bring a new attitude to the team.

But even with Detroit's improvements, Oklahoma City has rarely lost against bad teams this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was recently named a starter for the All-Star Game, and the team is riding a five-game winning streak.

The Pistons also turn the ball over at the third-highest rate in the league, which plays right into the Thunder’s gameplan. Although the teams are at different ends of the standings, the potential matchup of star guards should be intriguing.

Gilgeous-Alexander will be matched up with Cade Cunningham, the top pick from the 2021 NBA Draft. The Oklahoma State product has been one of the lone bright spots for Detroit this season, averaging 22.8 points and 7.4 assists.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (32-13) vs. Detroit Pistons (5-40)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Little Caesar’s Arena - Detroit, MI

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:

The Thunder should take care of business against the league’s worst team to set up an important matchup on Monday. The winner of their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves will take control of the first seed and could determine who coaches the Western Conference in the All-Star Game.

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