How to watch Pistons at Thunder as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, dominant OKC hosts rising Detroit

The Detroit Pistons are this season’s most delightful surprise, having already tripled last year’s win total. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the league’s current title favorites, putting together a historic net rating with end-to-end dominance. Both sides get a national look on Wednesday night, with the ultra-deep attack of OKC favored against J.B. Bickerstaff’s ascending young core.

How to watch Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Thunder

These teams just saw each other on March 15, with the Thunder edging out a 113-107 win, despite turning the ball over 18 times. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a beast: 48 points, six assists and four stocks (steals + blocks), while Cason Wallace scored 20 on 15 tries. All-Star Jalen Williams was held out with a hip injury. The Pistons coughed up 17 turnovers but got steady bench shooting from Malik Beasley and Dennis Schröder.

Cade Cunningham (calf) missed Sunday’s game against Minnesota. That game devolved into a sideline brawl during the second quarter, with Bickerstaff, Isaiah Stewart, Ronald Holland II and Marcus Sasser getting the boot. Detroit had won five of six before Sunday’s stumble. The Pistons are fifth in shooting percentage across their last 15 games, with top-10 offensive and defensive ratings in that span.

Detroit deserves credit for its inspired turnaround — may we all soon find ourselves wearing “DE2ROIT” merchandise. But Oklahoma City is an absolute wagon, especially in its home gym.

OKC has won 10 in a row and 18 of its last 20. Its net rating of 13.4 is tied for the best ever with the 1995-96 Bulls. Let’s appreciate every look we get at this squad.

Starting five of players to wear both jerseys

• Dennis Schröder
• Reggie Jackson
• Hamidou Diallo
• Jerami Grant
• Nazr Mohammed

NBA MVP odds

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