Pistons vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer
vs.
Detroit Pistons (0-5, 0-4 road) vs. OKC Thunder (3-2, 2-1 home)
TV: FS OK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 103.6 (12th), Pistons– 101.1 (23rd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 97.5 (5th), Pistons – 113.1 (28th)
Pace: Thunder – 94.3 (9th), Pistons – 91.8 (24th)
View from the enemy: Piston Powered
Most exciting thing about this game: Alternate uniforms! Because holy crap, the Pistons are terrible and not fun.
The win over the Bulls is especially nice because the Thunder have a chance to put a few good wins under their belt ahead. Pistons, Cavs, Pistons again, Memphis at home, Hornets and the Warriors before the Clippers come to town. That’s a realistic chance to win eight in a row and go to 10-2. Or at least seven of eight.
Here’s something I’d like to see tonight, other than simply a win: Some fun basketball. The Thunder have been a bit bland early on, playing a rugged style without much fast breaking or Durant or Westbrook taking over. If they blow the doors off the Pistons, so be it, but it would be nice to see KD get 30.
Detroit coming in: They’ve lost five straight, most recently losing to the Kings.
Three Big Things
1. Don’t play terrible. Avoid doing that and this should be a pretty crisp win.
2. Firm up the rotation. Scott Brooks went with just nine last night as he continues to search. This could be a reasonable opportunity to get a little better grasp on it. Maybe Brooks isn’t going to have a set rotation though. Maybe it’s going to be a play-it-by-ear thing.
3. Run, score and be more fun. Get out on the break, throw some lobs, knock down shots and play a good, entertaining game of basketball. If things go according to plan, Durant and Westbrook might not play much in the fourth, but even if they don’t, it would be nice to see them put up some points. Most of all though, just win the game.
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Funder.
