Injuries plague OKC as they face Detroit's physicality. Can Dort contain Cunningham and the Thunder survive the paint battle?
The Thunder notched an impressive win over the Raptors, but there is no rest for the weary. A shorthanded Oklahoma City squad faces Detroit at 6:30 p.m. Central on ESPN.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Hartenstein will miss the contest, while Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso are doubtful to play.
Check out three key matchups for this potential NBA Finals preview.
Thunder’s Intensity and Physicality
Detroit is the most physical team in the league, especially on defense. Nobody forces more turnovers or commits more fouls per game than the Pistons, according to NBA.com. The team also loves to flex its muscles early in order to see whether opponents are willing to absorb punishment and fight back (literally), so Oklahoma City must set the tone immediately by matching Detroit’s intensity. This entails a strong commitment to boxing out anyone in sight, as the Pistons rank third in offensive rebound percentage and fourth in points per game via put-backs.
It’s an uphill battle unfortunately because Oklahoma City is on the second night of a back-to-back after playing in Toronto last night. Injuries, travel and fatigue may sap the Thunder’s energy well before the final buzzer.
Look for Kenrich Williams to be an X Factor in this matchup. Kenny Hustle is content to do the dirty work and fight for defensive rebounds, which is essential given the Thunder’s injuries.
Thunder’s Interior Defense
48.7% of the Pistons’ total points this season have come from inside the paint, which is the second-highest rate across the association. The roster naturally thrives around the basket, but Detroit’s shooting woes also essentially force it to attack the hoop.
Ausar Thompson is knocking down a mere 36.3% of his shots outside of the restricted area, Jalen Duren remains confined to the paint and Cade Cunningham’s three-point shot comes and goes.
Can Oklahoma City keep Detroit away from the basket with Hartenstein and Holmgren sidelined? If not, then it’s highly unlikely that the Thunder pull off the upset.
Luguentz Dort vs. Cade Cunningham
Dort excels at guarding big, physical ball handlers with shaky jumpers. Enter Cunningham. The MVP candidate thrives at getting downhill but has struggled from deep this season. Cunningham’s scoring must be neutralized for the Thunder to have a chance in this contest. Dort has the defensive chops to deliver, but the outlook is bleak when he takes a breather or Detroit forces a switch.