Thunder vs Pistons Prediction NBA Picks Experts 03/29

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Game Preview: Detroit Pistons vs Oklahoma City Thunder

On March 29, 2023, the struggling Detroit Pistons will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Pistons, with a dismal record of 16-59, have struggled all season and are currently ranked last in the Central Standings. Meanwhile, the Thunder have a record of 37-38 and are still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Northwest Standings. Despite the Pistons' tough season, they do have a couple standouts on their roster, including Bojan Bogdanovic who is averaging 21.6 points per game with a 48.8% field goal percentage, and rookie Cade Cunningham who has shown flashes of star potential. The Thunder, on the other hand, are led by guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who is averaging 31.3 points per game with a 51.0% field goal percentage. With the Thunder fighting for a playoff spot, they will likely come out strong against the struggling Pistons. However, the Pistons have the potential to surprise with their young talent. It will be interesting to see how these two teams matchup and who will come out on top. Check back for a full-length prediction article as we dive deeper into the game and make our expert picks.

Pistons: Offensive Analysis

The Detroit Pistons have had a tough season, with a record of 16-59 and ranking 28th in points per game with only 110.7. The offense has struggled to keep up with opponents, ranking 28th in both average score margin and opponent average score margin. Their fast break points per game and assists per game also rank towards the bottom of the league, with the team struggling to find consistent scoring opportunities. While they do have a strong rebounding game, ranking 15th in total rebounds per game, they struggle to convert those rebounds into points. The Pistons' shooting percentages are also lackluster, with below-average marks in effective field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and shooting efficiency. They do have a strong free throw game, with the team ranking 4th in the league in free throw attempt rate. One area where the Pistons have found success is in turnovers forced, ranking 16th in steals per game and 5th in turnovers per game. However, their tendency to commit personal fouls remains an issue, as they rank last in the league in personal fouls per game. Overall, the Pistons have a lot of room for improvement on the offensive end of the court if they hope to find success against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 29, 2023.

Pistons: Defensive Analysis

The Detroit Pistons will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 29, 2023. The Pistons have had a tough season so far with a 16-59 record, ranking them at the bottom of the Central Standings. However, the Pistons can still put up a good fight with their defense. Defensive Value The Pistons are struggling on the offensive end, with a ranking of 28th in the league for points per game. However, on defense, they are still maintaining a decent ranking at 28th in the league for opponents' points per game. This shows that the Pistons have the capability to hold their opponents to a low score even with their offensive limitations. Rebounding Rebounding is a crucial part of defense, and the Pistons are doing well in this aspect of the game. They are ranked at 15th in the league for total rebounds per game, and their opponent's total rebounds per game rank them at 24th. This shows that the Pistons are putting in the effort to secure defensive rebounds, which limits the number of second-chance points their opponents could score. Steals The Pistons rank at 16th in the league for steals per game, which means they have the ability to disrupt their opponents' offensive plays. Steals can lead to fast break opportunities and score easy points for a struggling offense like Detroit’s. Personal Fouls The Pistons have a high number of personal fouls per game, ranking at 30th in the league. While it shows that the team is putting in the effort to fight for rebounds and defend the paint, it can also lead to giving away easy points through free throws. Conclusion The Detroit Pistons may lack on the offensive end, but they can still put up a good fight with their defense. With a good rebounding game and the ability to disrupt their opponents with steals, the Pistons can limit their opponent’s scoring opportunities. The team will need to be careful with their personal fouls as they could give away easy points. Overall, the Pistons can rely on their defense to have a fighting chance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Thunder: Offensive Analysis

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been inconsistent on offense throughout the 2022-23 NBA season, but they have shown flashes of brilliance with their young core. In their upcoming game against the Detroit Pistons on March 29, 2023, the Thunder offense will need to step up if they hope to secure a victory. One area where the Thunder have struggled this season is in their shooting. They rank near the bottom of the league in effective field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and shooting efficiency. However, they do take a high volume of shots, particularly from beyond the arc, which can sometimes make up for their lack of accuracy. The Thunder have been successful in getting to the free throw line, with a high free throw attempt rate and solid free throw percentage. This could be an effective strategy against a struggling Pistons defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in opponent free throw attempt rate. In terms of ball movement, the Thunder have been average in both assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio. The Pistons have been particularly vulnerable in the paint, so OKC will need to look to their playmaking guards, particularly Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, to create opportunities for their big men. The Thunder have also had success in transition, with a solid fastbreak point average that could be troublesome for a Pistons team that ranks in the middle of the pack in fastbreak points allowed. Overall, the Thunder offense will need to improve their shooting accuracy and take advantage of their strengths in attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line if they hope to come out on top against the Pistons.

Thunder: Defensive Analysis

The Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Detroit Pistons on March 29, 2023, in what promises to be a high-intensity matchup. While both teams have had a mixed season so far, the Thunder have shown significant improvement on the defensive end, particularly in recent games. Here's a closer look at some key defensive metrics for the Thunder ahead of this game: 1. Points allowed: The Thunder currently rank 19th in the league for points allowed, giving up an average of 116.2 points per game. While this might seem like a high number, it's worth noting that the team has held their opponents to fewer than 100 points in two of their last five games, showcasing their ability to shut down opposing offenses. 2. Turnovers forced: The Thunder rank 5th in the league for turnovers forced, averaging 16.9 turnovers per game. This is a significant improvement from earlier in the season and bodes well for the team's defensive prowess. Look for players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey to be disruptive on defense and force turnovers. 3. Rebounding: The Thunder have struggled on the defensive glass this season, ranking 29th in the league for defensive rebounds per game. However, their rebounding has improved in recent games, and they will need to continue to clean up the glass against a Pistons team that ranks 15th in the league for total rebounds per game. 4. Blocks: Oklahoma City ranks 21st in the league for blocks per game, with an average of 4.4 blocks. While they may not be the most dominant shot-blocking team, they have players like Aleksej Pokusevski and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl who can disrupt opposing offenses and alter shots. 5. Steals: The Thunder rank 4th in the league for steals per game, averaging 8.3 steals. This has been a key part of their defensive strategy, as they look to create turnovers and generate opportunities in transition. Players like Luguentz Dort and Tre Mann will be tasked with disrupting the Pistons' offense and creating turnovers. Overall, the Thunder's defense has shown significant improvement in recent games and will need to continue to step up against a Pistons team that has struggled offensively this season. While they may not rank highly in every defensive category, they have players who can disrupt opposing offenses and create scoring opportunities on the other end. Look for the Thunder to rely on their defense and try to secure a much-needed win in this matchup.

Injury Report

The Detroit Pistons have several players listed as doubtful for this game. SF Bojan Bogdanovic, SG Alec Burks, and G Rodney McGruder are all dealing with injuries and may not be able to play. On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder have PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander listed as doubtful for this game with an injury. F Lindy Waters III is also listed as out due to a foul he committed in the previous game. These injuries could have an impact on the game, as both teams may need to adjust their lineups accordingly. The Pistons may need to rely on other players to step up if Bogdanovic, Burks, and McGruder are unable to play, while the Thunder may need to find other ways to generate offense without Gilgeous-Alexander in the lineup.

Betting Trends

The Detroit Pistons head into this matchup with a 16-59 record and are 7-29 on the road. They have struggled against the spread this season, with a record of 31-41-3 ATS. The Pistons have been performing poorly in their last five games, winning only one and losing the other four. As underdogs in this game, the Pistons are only expected to win 18.8% of the time according to analytics. On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a record of 37-38 and a home record of 22-15. They have performed better against the spread than the Pistons, with a record of 43-29-3 ATS. The Thunder have won three out of their last five games, including a win against the Trail Blazers in their most recent game. As favorites in this game, the Thunder are expected to win 81.2% of the time according to analytics. When it comes to betting trends, the Thunder have been a great team to bet on this season. They have covered the spread in 59.7% of their games, while the Pistons have only covered the spread in 44.2% of their games. In terms of the over/under, the Pistons have gone over in 47.5% of their games, while the Thunder have gone over in 53.8% of their games. Overall, the betting trends suggest that the Oklahoma City Thunder are the more promising bet in this matchup due to their better record, home advantage, and better performance against the spread. However, as with any sports betting, there are always upsets and underdog wins, so it's important to carefully consider all factors before placing a bet.

Prediction: Pistons vs. Thunder NBA Game Summary - March 29, 2023

This game will likely be a blowout in favor of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pistons have had a rough season and do not match up well against the Thunder's strong offense and defense. The Thunder should have no trouble scoring and keeping the Pistons from getting any momentum.  With a dismal record, the Pistons are not likely to withstand the Thunder's dominant offense and defense.

Pick: Thunder (-12.5).