OKC Thunder: National and TI editor power rankings week 8 – hot takes in top tier

It’s no secret I’ve felt this team was overrated early. Sure, Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond are talents. And, having also covered the Raptors know (the professional gentleman) Dwane Casey will always have his squads prepared. So,  there was a chance they would do well early.

Whereas some teams have been cited as having an easy schedule I’ve begged to differ in some cases (see the top five for more on this). On the other hand, the Pistons stumbled as soon as their schedule shifted. Prior to week eight, the Pistons had played just four games against the opposite coast, only two back to back sets and only eight games on the road.

Week eight did little to change those schedule statistics much as Detroit still has only played two back to back sets, have only played the West six times and have only traveled to Houston as their lone West Coast travel. Yet, having to face better teams and navigate a full itinerary of four games resulted in —- four consecutive losses!

Detroit won’t travel further than Philly this week, nor will they play a Western team or complete a back to back. However, they will face three Eastern teams who are all on a roll. Don’t be surprised if the Pistons slip even further down my rating list next week, especially if they fail to win at least two of these matches.

Detroit Pistons

Offensive Rating: 23rd (fell TEN spots in a week)
Defensive Rating: 11th
Net Differential: 18th

Points per game: 109.4 (18th)
Offensive field goal efficiency: 43.0 percent (30th)
Opponent points per game: 110.0 (14th)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 46.8 percent (21st)

Record: sixth in EC
Home: 9-6
Road: 4-5
Back to back sets: 2

Versus the East: 10-8

Versus the West: 3-3
Week eight 0-4: lost to Thunder, @ Bucks, vs. 76ers, vs. Pelicans
On tap for week 9: @76ers, @Hornets, Celtics