Oklahoma City Thunder at Detroit Pistons 4/16/21 - NBA Picks & Predictions

Two of the worst teams in the NBA this season will meet up when the Oklahoma City Thunder hopes to put an end to an 8-game losing streak at Little Ceasars Arena against the Detroit Pistons. The Thunder were dominated their last time out losing 147-109 to the Warriors, dropping to 13th place in the Western Conference at 20-35. The Pistons have lost three straight, including back-to-back losses to the Clippers dropping to 16-39 and last place in the Eastern Conference.

Oklahoma City has been one of the worst offenses in the NBA this season averaging just 105.3 points per game ranking 28th in the NBA in scoring offense. The Thunder come in shooting 44.5% from the field, 27th in the NBA, and 34.8% from beyond the arc, 24th in the NBA. It’s been a tough go for the Thunder, who hold the most draft picks in the NBA and are in the middle of a massive roster overhaul.

Shae Gilgeous Alexander has emerged as a future star and a guy who can score the ball as the main scoring option. SGA is leading the Thunder in scoring with 23.7 points, shooting an impressive 50.8% from the field and 41.8% from beyond the arc, as well as leading the team in assists with 5.9 per contest. Lou Dort has also developed into a solid piece, especially on the defensive end, but he’s adding 13.3 points per game which is 2nd on the team.

Detroit hasn’t been much better on the offensive end, they’re averaging 107.7 points per game ranking 25th in the MLB in scoring offense. They take some of teh fewest threes per game taking just 33.6 per game and are 22nd in three-point percentage and 35.7%. It has been even worse in the paint where they’re shooting 44.9% ranking 25th in the NBA.

If there is anything positive to take away from this season for the Pistons, it’s Jerami Grant who is scoring 22.6 points per game on 43% shooting. It is by far the best season of Grant’s career, and with injuries and a plethora of roster moves, he’s been one of the few steady hands. Josh Jackson, the young shooting guard out of Kansas, is averaging 13 points and 42.4% shooting this season. 

Despite the struggles for Detroit this season, they’ve actually been a solid defensive team and come in allowing 111.4 points per game ranking 14th in the NBA in scoring defense. A lot of that is due to their methodical pace, as opponents are shooting 47.9% from the field and 37.4% from three, ranking 24th and 22nd in the NBA. 

Oklahoma City comes in 24th in the NBA in scoring defense allowing 114.3 points per game but are holding opponents to 47% from the field, 20th in the NBA, and have defended the three especially well holding opponents to 35.8% from beyond the arc ranking 8th in the NBA.