OKC Thunder vs. Pistons: Dort returns, Grant out in tank war 2.0

For the second time this month, the OKC Thunder will face the Detroit Pistons. The initial meeting wasn’t close as seven Pistons scored in double-figures. Former Thunder teammates Jerami Grant and Hamidou Diallo were among the group who feasted on a decimated Thunder squad.

Typically Intentions would break down the matchup for how the Thunder could win versus their opponent. Yet, this contest is one checked on the calendar as a scheduled loss.

The reason is OKC is actively trying to drop down the ladder to obtain one of the bottom three seeds in the association to improve their shot at the top draft pick in the lottery.  They’ve helped their efforts via an eight-game losing streak that has resulted in OKC dropping a few spots down the standings.

Entering the match tonight the Pistons sit on the 28th rung and the Thunder resides two rungs up in 26th.  With 17 games remaining the goal for OKC is to lose as much as possible to draw closer to one of those bottom three seeds.

OKC Thunder face Detroit Pistons in the tank wars

As for the Pistons, one look at the injury report shows they are equally invested in retaining their current seed with two players sitting out “for rest” and Grant being rested “for injury maintenance”.  That’s a pretty telling action by Detroit. While the Thunder have shut down Al Horford he’s the only OKC player who is healthy but not active.

The last time the teams met the core Thunder trio was out including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort,  and Darius Bazley. Of that trio, only SGA is expected to miss this match as he continues to rest with plantar fasciitis. Dort who was out Wednesday will play and look to follow up his incredible effort versus the Jazz when he scored a career-high 42 points.

Since these teams last played the Thunder has continued to lose, racking up five more losses. In contrast, the Pistons are 1-4 since they beat OKC. In fact, Detroit has been winning almost too much for their liking.

In the first 20 games they won five games, then six times through their next 20 games. They’re ahead of pace in this next 20-game segment having already won five times and will face seven sub .500 teams through their final 17 matches including this game.

For those wanting a more traditional look at how the Thunder could beat the Pistons Intentions previous ‘3 keys to beating the Pistons‘ offers a deeper dive.

Game specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 20-35
• Pistons: 16-39

The Venue: Little Caesars Arena

Tipoff:  7:00 PM ET  | 6:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Injuries:

Scan the injuries provided by the NBA Injury Report and it’s clear the Pistons are also invested in making sure the Thunder don’t simply raise the white flag from the tip. Two players are out for rest (Plumlee, Ellington) while Grant is also getting load managed.

OKC Thunder:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will miss his 12th consecutive game with plantar fasciitis
• Mike Muscala is out with an ankle injury missing his 17th of the last 18 games.
• Josh Hall is in the concussion protocol program.
• Aleksej Pokusevski will be out with a sprained right arm.
• Gabriel Deck – not with the team yet

Pistons:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Jerami Grant will be out as the Pistons exercise injury management of a prior knee issue

Wayne Ellington is out – for rest

Cory Joseph is out with an ankle injury

Rodney McGruder is day-to-day with an elbow injury.

Mason Plumlee is out for rest

Dennis Smith Jr. is out with left knee soreness

History:

All-time the clubs have met each other 140 times in regular-season history with the Thunder holding the advantage of winning 73 of those matches compared to 67 for the Pistons. In the 2019-20 season, the teams played twice with the Thunder winning both contests.

This is the second meeting between the clubs in the 2020-21 campaign with both teams vying for better positioning in the draft lottery. In the initial meeting, the Pistons won 132-108.