Detroit Pistons – Oklahoma City Thunder: No.1 vs No.2
First meeting of the season between the Pistons and the Thunder — the two best records so far. Trouble is, this won’t be a proper Finals dress rehearsal: OKC will once again be missing its two best players. Still, worth watching to see if Detroit can live up to being home favourites against the defending champs.
Detroit Pistons: bounce back against another West heavyweight 
The loss to the Spurs in their last game (103-114) ended a five-game winning run for J.B. Bickerstaff’s men. Not catastrophic, but a wake-up call — it confirms what’s been obvious all season: Detroit needs answers when Cade Cunningham’s off the floor. Against San Antonio he picked up fouls early, sat longer than planned and that cost them.
Defense hasn’t been the issue. Most nights, average offence will get you a win. Not against the top teams. The Pistons get a crack at the league’s best defence before a quick trip to face the Cavaliers in two days. Beating a Thunder side missing its top two players is close to mandatory — you don’t want to catch a negative streak at this stage of the season.
INJURY REPORT : Isaiah Stewart (OUT)
Oklahoma City Thunder: another test without Shai and Jalen Williams
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be back in the coming games, but Mark Daigneault’s team is playing its third straight matchup against Eastern playoff sides. After knocking off the Cavs (121-113) and the Raptors (116-107), the champions now face the East leaders.
It won’t be easy, but OKC has managed fine without SGA and Jalen Williams so far. A win tonight would send a clear message: even without our two stars, we’re still dangerous. The Thunder also need the victory to keep San Antonio from closing the gap on first place — the Spurs are on a nine-game run. Inside, Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren will have to stand up and handle the Duren–Reed rebounding twin threat.
INJURY REPORT : Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OUT) – Jalen Williams (OUT) – Ajay Mitchell (OUT)
Projected starters
Detroit Pistons : Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Oklahoma City Thunder : Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein
NBA Pick Detroit Pistons vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Over 215.5 points
Both teams are among the league’s best and they play solid basketball on both ends. Tough match to call. Still, both sides have been hitting the over lately — the Thunder has gone over 215.5 in 8 of their last 10, Detroit in 7 of their last 10.
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