Pistons vs Thunder Preview – NBA Picks
This season has to be a huge disappointment for the Pistons. In an Eastern Conference that is not very good they still couldn’t crack the playoffs even though they made significant adjustments to the team in the offseason. [ad-4468020]
Detroit Pistons (29-52) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (58-23)
Wednesday April 16
Chesapeake Energy Arena – Oklahoma City, OK
8:00PM
Moneyline: No moneyline currently listed
Spread: OKC -13.5
Total: 212.5
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Detroit
I have to admit this is a team I was really high on throughout as I like their frontline a lot. It will be interesting to see where they go from here.
Throughout the season Andre Drummond proved that he is a beast, finishing second in rebounding while averaging 13 and 13. It is hard to find a more productive frontcourt than Detroit’s Greg Monroe and Josh Smith both contributing more than 15 points and 7 board per game too.
The thing that is missing in Detroit is efficiency which I think can be blamed equally on their guards. PG Brandon Jennings is terrible.
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It is the last game of the season and lines are hard to come by in these seemingly meaningless contests.
It is especially hard to handicap Detroit because all the reports are that they are going to do some major housecleaning in the organization in the offseason, so who are these guys even trying to impress.
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Oklahoma City
Its the final game for the Thunder but it looks like they have the second seed in the West all locked up so there won’t be much to play for.
They have been doing a good job managing the health of their players down the stretch and I guess it will be the same in this one. With home playoff games guaranteed they don’t have to do anything for the fans either.
These Pistons are not the bad boys but they can be physical.
OKC has lost their last two game so as much as they will be looking to emerge healthy they also want to get back to winning. Russell Westbrook was rested for the last game but I think he will play this evening. Look for the Thunder to play a spirited first half and then coast a little in the second.
If the reserves like Caron Butler, Derek Fisher and Nick Collison have it going than they should cruise.
The Thunder have to be liking their chances heading into the playoffs. They may not have caught the Spurs for the top spot but they have beaten them all 4 times they have played this year.
The bigger challenge could be Los Angeles who they split with during the season.
Spread prediction: Detroit
Total prediction: UNDER
Score prediction: Oklahoma City 99 – Detroit 95
