The OKC Thunder will face the Detroit Pistons on the road at 6 p.m. CST Saturday.
OKC (54-12) clinched a playoff spot with a 118-112 road win over Boston on Wednesday. The Thunder will be without starters Chet Holmgren (rest) and Jalen Williams (right hip strain) on Saturday.
Detroit (37-30) suffered a 129-125 home loss to Washington on Thursday. The Pistons are led by former Oklahoma State star Cade Cunningham.
Here’s a preview of the Thunder-Pistons game, including score predictions, betting odds and injury updates.
More: Thunder vs Pistons score, live updates: Chet Holmgren out for OKC at Detroit
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Thunder vs. Pistons prediction, picks
Justin Martinez: OKC 117, Detroit 111
Detroit has turned things around this season, and one of the biggest reasons why is its improved perimeter shooting. The Pistons are 15th in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage (36%), and they’re 22-6 in games where they shoot better than that. But OKC ranks first in the league in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (33.7%). And even though it’ll be without Holmgren and Williams, it still won’t have any shortage of strong defenders. I’m going with the Thunder on the road.
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Thunder vs. Pistons betting odds
Odds courtesy of via BetMGM as of Saturday, March 15
Odds: Thunder by 4.5
Over/under: 233.5
Moneyline: OKC -190 | Detroit +155
More: Thunder has dominated Eastern Conference. Can OKC make history with Jalen Williams out?
Thunder vs. Pistons injury updates
Thunder: Branden Carlson (G League two-way) is out. Alex Ducas (G League two-way) is out. Chet Holmgren (rest) is out. Ajay Mitchell (right great toe surgery) is out. Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is out. Aaron Wiggins (illness) is out. Jalen Williams (right hip strain) is out.
Pistons: Ron Harper Jr. (G League two-way) is out. Jaden Ivey (left fibula fracture) is out. Daniss Jenkins (G League two-way) is out. Bobi Klintman (G League assignment) is out. Tolu Smith (G League two-way) is out.
More: Jalen Williams injury update: OKC Thunder forward exits with right hip strain vs Nuggets
Projected Thunder starting lineup
(With season averages)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists
- Isaiah Joe: 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists
- Cason Wallace: 7.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals
- Lu Dort: 9.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists
- Isaiah Hartenstein: 11.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists
More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be the next MVP, but can he be the face of the NBA his way?
Projected Pistons starting lineup
- Cade Cunningham: 25.9 points, 6 rebounds and 9.3 assists
- Tim Hardaway Jr.: 10.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists
- Ausar Thompson: 9.5 points, 5 rebounds and 1.8 steals
- Tobias Harris: 13.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists
- Jalen Duren: 11.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks
More: How Jalen Williams went from little known OKC Thunder draft pick to NBA All-Star
What channel is Thunder vs. Pistons NBA game on tonight?
The Thunder and Pistons will play at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15, on FanDuel Sports Network and KSBI (Channel 52 in OKC and CW 19 in Tulsa).
More: FanDuel Sports Network now available on Amazon Prime. What it means for OKC Thunder fans
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