Having fallen prey to the only unbeaten team in the NBA, the OKC Thunder finish their mini two-game road trip traveling to Detroit to take on the Pistons.
It’s a historic date for the NBA with all 30 teams in action on the eve of Election Night. In what could be dubbed the Josh Giddey – Cade Cunningham bowl, the Thunder face a team with a similar mindset.
This should be a great litmus test for two teams who are both driven to become the dominant team of the future.
- Scroll down for our Thunder Pistons Prediction and Game Details
OKC Thunder vs Pistons Odds, Spread, Over/Under
The Pistons opened as 2.5-point favorites but as of posting the line has dropped to 1.5 points.
Presumably, the Pistons get the nod because they’re the home-court team but the spread dropping by a full point since opening suggests the oddsmakers see this as more of a toss-up given the meager spread.
The over/under is 222.5 while the money line for the Thunder is +130 and -136 for the Pistons.
Some other betting notables:
- The Thunder are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- OKC is 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a straight-up loss of more than 10 points.
- The OKC Thunder are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings between these clubs.
- The Thunder are 6-3 straight up in their last nine games against Detroit.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Thunder Starting Lineup:
In the Saturday game against the Milwaukee Bucks, head coach Mark Daigneault stuck with his core Big 3 adding Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and tapping Mike Muscala for his first start this season.
I’m thinking Daigneault will give Jalen Williams another start but he might elect a different member.
Thunder Injury Report
Aleksej Pokusevski remains out dealing with his shoulder injury and Chet Holmgren is out for the season as he heals from the Lisfranc injury to his right foot.
As for the Pistons, Jalen Duran (ankle) is listed as probable for Monday. Alec Burks (foot) is out and Marvin Bagley III (knee) is out until mid-November.
OKC Thunder vs. Pistons Stats Comparison and Prediction
Cade Cunningham is leading the Pistons averaging 21.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and a steal per game.
Head coach Dwane Casey is utilizing the young core with an emphasis on building consistent habits, particularly with the young core. Isaiah Stewart is delivering close to a double-double with 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds while Saddiq Bey is averaging 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds.
Rookie Jaden Ivey is averaging 15 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Defensively the Pistons have regressed since last season allowing opponents to score 118.9 points per game which ranks 28th. Moreover, their foes are shooting 49 percent from the field and 34.7 from the perimeter ranking 28th and 11th respectively.
On the offensive side of the hardwood, the Pistons average 107.3 points per game ranking 28th while shooting 42.7 percent from the field which ranks 29th, and 34.3 percent from the perimeter ranking in a tie with the Bucks for 22nd.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to deliver impressive performances leading the OKC Thunder averaging 30.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Josh Giddey is averaging 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while Lu Dort is chipping in 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per match.
Overall the OKC Thunder are averaging 110.4 points per game ranking 20th overall. The shooting efficiency needs work as they shoot 44.5 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from deep ranking 26h and 29th respectively.
On the defensive side of the floor, the Thunder hold opponents to 111.8 points per game which ranks 11th best. They are holding foes to 46.4 percent from the field (tied for 15th) and 35.4 percent from the perimeter (tied for 13th).
While the Thunder possesses the better record it’s the Pistons who are favored to win and in fairness, it might behoove OKC to lose in order to gain an edge in the loss column (read: for their draft lottery seeding).
Regardless of who ends up winning this game will provide some insights into where the Thunder measure up compared to the Pistons as both clubs are building for the future.
Cunningham has definitely improved this season but Gilgeous-Alexander has been the more impressive and consistent performer.
Likewise, the Thunder are the more consistent team defensively and bring the same competitiveness to every game whereas the Pistons have vacillated from game to game.
It’s likely to be a closely contested game but I’d take the points and the Thunder.
Thunder 111 – Pistons 106
What channel is the Thunder-Pistons game on?
Per usual the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Oklahoma or NBA League Pass.
Of note, the league is using this day to promote voting and will be pushing that message in each match. They are also offering all games to be streamed on the NBA app for free with the first game beginning at 7:00 pm EST (Wizards at Hornets) and a game beginning every 15 minutes.
The Thunder and Pistons will tip off at 7:30 pm EST (6:30 CT) from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
OKC Thunder vs. Pistons Live Stream
If you need a live stream of the event, check out FuboTV for a free trial! (or the NBA app).
Thunder Next Game and Schedule
The next match for OKC is on Wednesday as the club returns home to face the Bucks yet again and then will host the Raptors on Friday prior to finishing off the week in New York City versus the Knicks on Sunday.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.