Game 75: Pistons (39-35 vs. Thunder (52-22) - 7:30 PM EST

[whitehops]

this is a huge game, they are our toughest opponents left on our schedule but we are at home and they are coming off a back-to-back.

KCP shut down westbrook last time we played them but KD torched us, hopefully having two different guys we can throw at him (morris and harris) will be better than just morris since ilya had no chance.





go pistons!

[MotownMadness]

Hoping we just have one of those great nights were everything is dropping

[Moose10Fan]

Maybe they rest either Durant or Westbrook coming off a big win in T.O?

I can dream.

[Arp590]

Pretty low expectations for this one, as long as we come out and play hard then it's whatever.

[RSCD3_]

Expecting a loss as good defenders are too short for Durant and too weak for Westbrook. I don't think it'll be pretty but I'll take a win obviously

[whitehops]

Maybe they rest either Durant or Westbrook coming off a big win in T.O?

I can dream.

i read a report from sunday that billy donovan has no plans to rest KD or westbrook yet.

[zeebneeb]

Well this is the exact type of team that when we had Erson would just destroy the Pistons.

I expect a much better performance but with the way that team is playing and all the experience they have a loss would not be surprising.

The more interesting equation here is not how we defend then but how do they defend our wings now. Lots of interesting matchups in this game. I think one of Harris or Morris is going to have a big night.

I really don't care if they lose tonight as the rest of the schedule is the make or break part. This game is almost meaningless to me.

If they win, great. This team needs 43-45 wins and that is what matters, not a team that the Pistons will never face in the playoffs.

[El Chivo]

paradoxically the key is to limit Ibaka and Adams.

I think we have more or less 35% of chances to win this game, anyway.

[theBigLip]

Not going to be able to watch the game out here in Cali but I hope we play hard. They've had a lot of games this last week, so maybe we catch them tired, and can run them into the ground early.

[ChuckVanBrown]

Not a must win but would be great to get this one. Thunder have won 8 straight and are playing very well. Hoping that Jackson is out for revenge and plays well tonight. We're at home and OKC is on a back to back, so it should be a good game.

[Spider156]

Everyone is talking about defending Westbrook and Durant. You don't. You defend the others and make it close offensively. I'm going to predict this is going to be a close game in the end. Overtime? I'd put my money on it. If we come out like how we have against Cleveland and Golden State, then it'll be a good game. We're a different team at home and we seem to do well against the great teams when we're the underdogs. Just make it close. We have the energy and home court advantage.

[SVG]

Even if we take an L tonight, I expect a huge game from Reggie Jackson. He didn't want to be a backup, and he's playing the dude who he was behind in the depth chart.

[RasheedTupac]

OKC is real hot. I'm feeling another blow out unfortunately


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[RipCity32]

Hopefully the boys come out determined. They know they could make a huge statement to the league with a win here. As well as the massive playoff implications.

Durant and Westbrook will get theirs, all about limiting the role players.

[Jaisy]

It will be a tough game, no doubt. We need a huge performence from Jackson, I think.
I'm a big fan of Tobias, and I still remember that game winner vs OKC ;0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlwKlAq7zxQ

[Spider156]

Maybe they rest either Durant or Westbrook coming off a big win in T.O?

I can dream.

i read a report from sunday that billy donovan has no plans to rest KD or westbrook yet.

That's bad coaching. OKC aren't in a position that they'll lose their position in the West's standings or keep up with the Spurs. They're locked in 3rd place. When you play 4 games in 5 days and you're on a back to back away? You gotta sit one of your starters, it just makes too much sense. The only reason to play the stars is they're trying to get a head of Cleveland in case they meet in the Finals.

[DetroitSho]

Maybe they rest either Durant or Westbrook coming off a big win in T.O?

I can dream.

i read a report from sunday that billy donovan has no plans to rest KD or westbrook yet.

That's bad coaching. OKC aren't in a position that they'll lose their position in the West's standings or keep up with the Spurs. They're locked in 3rd place. When you play 4 games in 5 days and you're on a back to back away? You gotta sit one of your starters, it just makes too much sense. The only reason to play the stars is they're trying to get a head of Cleveland in case they meet in the Finals.

There's nothing "x & o" about sitting or playing players, so how is that bad coaching? Sitting creatures of habit completely out of games can have just as negative impact to their rhythm as burning them out. He can play them and reduce their minutes and still keep em fresh.

[joedumars1]

Ibaka AND Durant REST tonight

[RipCity32]

Well that's quite the break. Hopefully Westbrook takes it easy minutes wise too.

[Todd3]

Ibaka AND Durant REST tonight