The Oklahoma City Thunder (6-16) travel to Little Caesars Arena Monday to take on the Detroit Pistons (4-18). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Thunder at Pistons odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Thunder had the weekend to think about the worst loss in NBA history they sustained Thursday. On the road against Detroit, OKC will still be down star G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was also out in that 152-79 beatdown by the Memphis Grizzlies.
SGA is the leader for this offense and his absence could again make a brutal showing. OKC is 13-9 against the spread, however, it is just 6-5 as a road underdog.
As for the Pistons, they’re led by G Jerami Grant and No. 1 overall pick G Cade Cunningham. The Pistons are 1-0 as home favorites and should be primed for another strong showing in this one.
Thunder at Pistons odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:51 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Thunder +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Pistons -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +4.5 (-108) | Pistons -4.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 203.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Thunder at Pistons key injuries
Thunder
- G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (illness) out
Pistons
- F Kelly Olynyk (knee) out
Thunder at Pistons odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Pistons 103, Thunder 96
Money line
PASS.
While OKC isn’t a playable side without SGA, betting on a four-win team at -190 also doesn’t make much sense. Go for the better odds while still backing Detroit.
Against the spread
BET PISTONS -4.5 (-112).
It’s a side getting quite a bit of juice, and while I don’t like playing four-win teams with this kind of spread, the Thunder are just a different level of awful without SGA on the court.
They’re 9.4 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court. Still a good defensive team, there really isn’t another great scoring option, so how OKC gets on the board is a mystery.
Its offense already ranks last in points per game. With Detroit down there too, this is really a play against OKC rather than for Detroit.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 203.5 (-110).
This may be the lowest total I’ve ever seen, and there’s good reason why too.
The Pistons and Thunder are the two worst shooting teams from the field and 3-point line. They respectively rank 16th and 14th in pace as well, so neither necessarily gets out and runs often.
They both rank in the bottom half of the league in points in the paint and second-chance points. These teams just don’t get it done offensively.
Against each other, I wouldn’t bank on it being high scoring.
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