The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons meet Saturday in NBA action at the Little Caesars Arena. Here’s a Pistons vs Thunder Prediction. This article will include a Pistons vs Thunder Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder split with the Nuggets, beat the Celtics, and then play the Bucks, 76ers, and Hornets next. The Thunder are 17-3 in their last 20 games and are two games behind the Cavs for the best record in the NBA.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 119.7 points on 47.9 percent shooting and allowing 107.2 points on 43.6 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.8 points and 6.2 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 21.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer and Isaiah Hartenstein is grabbing 11.1 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 82.5 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 33.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.7 rebounds per game.
Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
The Detroit Pistons beat the Trail Blazers, split with the Wizards, and they play the Pelicans, Heat, and Mavs next. The Pistons have won 12 of their last 16 games since being 25-26 on the season.
The Detroit Pistons are averaging 115 points on 47.5 percent shooting and allowing 113.2 points on 46 percent shooting. Cade Cunningham is averaging 25.9 points and 6 rebounds, while Malik Beasley is averaging 16.3 points and 1.7 assists. Tobias Harris is the third double-digit scorer and Jalen Duren is grabbing 10.4 rebounds. The Detroit Pistons are shooting 35.9 percent from beyond the arc and 77.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Detroit Pistons are allowing 36.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Detroit Pistons will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Thunder’s last three games at Little Caesars Arena.
- The Thunder have lost 10 of their last 11 road games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pistons have covered the spread in each of their last six night games following a home loss.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games after winning as underdogs.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 11 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Pistons have lost each of their last seven night games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven home games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pistons rank T1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (42.0).
- The Pistons have missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons – the equal-second-longest active streak in the NBA
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+12.5).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for steals per game this season (10.6).
Pistons vs Thunder Injury Report
The Pistons will be without Jaden Ivey.
The Thunder will be without Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Nikola Topic. Aaron Wiggins is questionable with an illness.
Pistons vs Thunder Prediction
This is a statement game for the young Pistons who are trying to prove they belong as legit playoff contenders. And while I believe the Pistons could surprise somebody in the first round, I’m not in the business of betting against the Thunder. OKC not only has 54 wins on the season but is 41-22-4 ATS. With a cover percentage of over 66 percent, the Thunder are the best cover team in the NBA. You also don’t see the Thunder with lines this soft, as they’re often laying close to double-digit points. We’ll have our chances to make money on the Pistons later, but I’ll continue to back the Thunder.