Game preview: OKC Thunder begin 3 game road trip looking to end Detroit win streak
Projected Line-ups
OKC Thunder Starters:
Point Guard: Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: Alex Abrines
Small Forward: Paul George
Power Forward: Jerami Grant
Center: Steven Adams
Note: Abrines started versus the Hawks, but Donovan may utilize any of Abrines, Ferguson, (if back) Luwawu-Cabarrot or Burton in this role. Or, the coach may elect to start Dennis Schroder to put him on Jackson defensively immediately.
OKC Thunder Bench
Point Guard: Dennis Schroder, Raymond Felton
Shooting Guard: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, *Terrance Ferguson, Deonte Burton
Small Forward: Abdel Nader
Power Forward: Patrick Patterson
Center: Nerlens Noel
Injury Notes:
- *Terrance Ferguson: As per Brett Dawson (see below) TFerg participated in the full practice and will be a game time decision.
- Hamidou Diallo: Participated in practice Sunday, but experienced pain in the ankle, therefore it’s expected he won’t High ankle sprain, is currently listed as out. Both Diallo and T-Ferg are being re-evaluated daily.
- Andre Roberson: After suffering a third setback from his initial patellar tendon injury Roberson is expected out another six weeks. Aiming for a mid January return.
Terrance Ferguson did everything at practice today. Hamidou Diallo did some, but had some soreness and the Thunder cut his practice short. Availability for tomorrow will be based on how both guys respond to today.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) December 2, 2018
Detroit Pistons Starters
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Point Guard: Reggie Jackson
Shooting Guard: Reggie Bullock
Small Forward: Glenn Robinson III
Power Forward: Blake Griffin
Center: Andre Drummond
Detroit Pistons Bench
Point Guard: Ish Smith, Jose Calderon. Bruce Brown
Shooting Guard: Langston Galloway, Khyri Thomas
Small Forward: Stanley Johnson
Power Forward: Jon Leuer
Center: Zaza Pachulia
Injury Notes:
- Henry Ellenson hasn’t played much this season, but his last seven games the reason cited is a nasal fracture. He is listed as day to day.
- Luke Kennard has missed the past 16 games due to a shoulder injury and although he was listed as questionable for the Warriors game Saturday he did not play. His status for tonight remains uncertain.
*Injury note via Rotoworld
Game Specifics
Recent History:
All-time the Thunder are 14-5 vs. the Pistons. In each of the past four seasons the teams have split their series. Last year they each took the games on each other’s home courts.
- January 27, 2018: OKC 121 – Detroit 108
- November 24, 2017: Detroit 99 – OKC 98
Fan Data:
The Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
The Tip: 6:00 PM CST (7:00 EST)
TV: NBATV (Players only feature game), FS Oklahoma, FS Detroit
Radio: Oklahoma City – WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP) and League Pass Audio
Odds:
The oddsmakers might be in on the secrets as it’s not the Detroit Pistons who are 9-3 at home getting the favorite status. Rather, the OKC Thunder are 1 point favorites with a 219.5 point over-under.
Next. Thunder quarter season progress report. dark
A win with some help could find OKC atop west ladder at night’s end:
The Pistons are looking to extend their win streak but the OKC Thunder are keen to continue their winning ways having won 14 of their last 17 games. OKC enter the match sitting in the third seed in the Western Conference. Granted it will take more than a victory by OKC, but if the Raptors and Pelicans take care of business the Thunder could find themselves sitting atop the west’s ladder at night’s end! Let’s go Thunder!
Make sure to visit Thunderous Intentions at game end for post game player grades and analysis from the Topic:Thunder podcast crew. Then check back Tuesday for top takeaways.