{"id":132052,"date":"2025-04-01T18:44:58","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T22:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=132052"},"modified":"2025-04-01T18:44:58","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T22:44:58","slug":"pistons-thunder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/01\/pistons-thunder\/","title":{"rendered":"A Win Over the Thunder Would Cement the Pistons&#8217; Spot Among the NBA&#8217;s Best"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/01\/isaiah-stewart-represents-detroit\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Pistons<\/a> will have another opportunity on national television to prove this season is the foundation of many more successful ones. On Wednesday night, they travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder, looking to avenge their March 15th loss. In that game, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gilgesh01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> erupted for 48 points, and a string of technical fouls led to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cunnica01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cade Cunningham\u2019s<\/a> first career ejection, derailing the Pistons&#8217; comeback attempt.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cade Cunningham gets EJECTED after a second technical in Pistons&#039; loss to Thunder \ud83d\udc40 | NBA on ESPN\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/d2sNCuCUClY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff voiced frustration over the officiating, arguing that the team\u2019s physical, hard-nosed style isn\u2019t getting the respect it deserves. Since that night, the Pistons have responded with a 5-2 record and a +65 margin, showing they can translate that intensity into wins. Now sitting as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, they face a brutal closing stretch against some of the league\u2019s best teams.<\/p>\n<p>The Pistons are 10-21 against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nba\/ask\/pistons-record-vs-every-team-this-season\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">teams above .500<\/a> this season, highlighting their struggles and potential, with signature wins over the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. Can they add another statement victory against an elite opponent in the Thunder?<\/p>\n<h2>A Win Over the Thunder Would Cement the Pistons&#8217; Spot Among the NBA&#8217;s Best<\/h2>\n<h3>Harris and Cunningham Return?<\/h3>\n<p>The Pistons have been without Cunningham for the last four games, a stretch that could have disrupted their momentum. Instead, they\u2019ve continued to thrive, thanks partly to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/schrode01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dennis Schr\u00f6der<\/a>. The veteran guard has stepped up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/schrode01\/gamelog\/2025\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">averaging<\/a> 12.8 points and 8.0 assists while keeping the offense steady in Cunningham\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n<p>He will be eager to make a statement against the Thunder after his frustrating performance in their last meeting. In that game, he struggled offensively, scoring just 11 points on 5\/18 shooting before being ejected. Despite contributing seven rebounds and nine assists, the Pistons needed him to go shot-for-shot with Gilgeous-Alexander. While the Pistons kept the game close, having Cunningham available down the stretch might have changed the outcome.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harrito02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tobias Harris<\/a>, meanwhile, missed Sunday\u2019s game against Minnesota with an Achilles injury, leaving his status for Wednesday uncertain. His veteran presence would have been crucial in managing the emotions of a heated match that saw three Pistons ejected. If both Cunningham and Harris return, the Pistons will have a greater chance of securing a statement victory on national television.<\/p>\n<h3>Williams&#8217; Return and Holmgren\u2019s Impact<\/h3>\n<p>The Thunder were without <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holmgch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chet Holmgren<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willija06.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Williams<\/a> in their last matchup against the Pistons. Williams, averaging 21.2 points on 47.9% shooting and 36.1% from three this season, recently returned after missing seven games. In his three games since returning, he has averaged 20.3 points, showing he\u2019s quickly regaining form.<\/p>\n<p>Holmgren has shown flashes of being a generational talent when healthy, but durability has been a concern. Despite his occasional absences, the Thunder have continued their strong play. He didn\u2019t suit up against the Pistons in their March meeting, but his presence could be crucial this time. Holmgren is averaging 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game\u2014numbers that could make a significant impact against a Pistons team that thrives on attacking the paint.<\/p>\n<h3>Playing Short Handed<\/h3>\n<p>The Pistons took a significant hit as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/01\/nba-suspends-five-players-pistons-timberwolves\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">NBA handed down suspensions<\/a> to three key players following Sunday\u2019s altercation with the Timberwolves. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sassema01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Sasser<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hollaro01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ron Holland<\/a> will serve one-game suspensions, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stewais01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isaiah Stewart<\/a> will miss two games. These penalties are a significant blow to a Pistons team that relies heavily on its bench production. Holland and Stewart provide crucial depth, while Sasser\u2019s scoring ability will be especially missed if Cunningham and Harris can&#8217;t play.<\/p>\n<p>The Pistons will need contributions from everyone to secure a win. Players like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/reedpa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paul Reed<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/waterli01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lindy Waters III<\/a> must elevate their play to help fill the gaps. To prevail Wednesday night, Detroit must limit mistakes, lean on its defensive principles, and capitalize on fast-break opportunities.<\/p>\n<h3>The Last Word<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"22\" data-end=\"332\">With a national audience watching, the Detroit Pistons have a prime opportunity to prove they belong among the league\u2019s top teams. A tough road test against the Oklahoma City Thunder will challenge their resilience, primarily if key starters like Cunningham and Harris don&#8217;t play and three others serving suspensions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"334\" data-end=\"683\">The Pistons have shown grit throughout the season, responding to adversity with strong performances. To secure a statement win, they must play disciplined basketball, contain SGA, and capitalize on their defensive identity. If they rise to the occasion, this game could be another stepping stone in their season turnaround. A statement win over the Thunder could change how people view Detriot, especially in a playoff setting.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"334\" data-end=\"683\">\n<p>Photo credit: \u00a9 Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Detroit Pistons will have another opportunity on national television to prove this season is the foundation of many more successful ones. On Wednesday night, they travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder, looking to avenge their March 15th loss. In that game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for 48 points, and a string of technical [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5168,"featured_media":132298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,10,62],"tags":[3965,671,2380,3109,4435,49172,343],"class_list":["post-132052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-pistons","category-nba","tag-cade-cunningham","tag-dennis-schroeder","tag-isaiah-stewart","tag-j-b-bickerstaff","tag-marcus-sasser","tag-ron-holland","tag-tobias-harris"],"modified_by":"Eamon Cassels, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132052","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=132052"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132052\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":132299,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132052\/revisions\/132299"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/132298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=132052"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=132052"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=132052"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}