Pistons-Thunder Preview
Share This Story
Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder opened a four-game stretch against Central Division opponents with a comeback victory.
There may not be a need for heroics in the next one.
Durant and the Thunder have won six straight against the visiting Detroit Pistons, who will likely be hard-pressed to avoid their worst start in 33 years Friday night.
Oklahoma City (3-2) trailed by six heading into the fourth quarter Thursday before rallying for a 97-91 victory at Chicago. Durant scored eight of his season-high 24 points in the fourth.
"It was one of those games you have to grind out," Durant said. "We've been through so many. We know what it takes."
There is some concern since Durant is averaging a league-worst 5.2 turnovers, committing six of Oklahoma City's season-high 22 against the Bulls. He's a big reason why the Thunder are averaging 18.4 turnovers for one of the NBA's poorest marks.
"Obviously we don't want to have high turnovers," coach Scott Brooks said. "It's something that has plagued us throughout this early part of our season. But it's something we're going to keep working on."
Detroit (0-5), meanwhile, has much more to work on as one of two remaining winless teams. The Pistons haven't dropped their first six games since the 1979-80 team began 0-7.
Opponents are shooting 47.4 percent against Detroit for the sixth-worst mark in the NBA. The Pistons allowed Sacramento to shoot 48.8 percent in Wednesday's 105-103 road defeat.
"Until we have a defensive mindset, it's going to be very hard for us to win,'' coach Lawrence Frank said. "We have to commit. Every guy that steps on the floor has to defend. It's a simple formula, but hard to do.''
The loss overshadowed a terrific effort from Greg Monroe, who had 21 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists. It was Monroe's first triple-double and the first by a Piston since Chauncey Billups did it against Minnesota on Feb. 20, 2004.
The Pistons are looking for answers from their starting backcourt. Brandon Knight is averaging 10.8 points and shooting 35.3 percent but that's better than Rodney Stuckey's career-low figures of 6.4 points per game and 17.4 shooting.
Detroit is also the worst rebounding team in the league at 35.2 per game.
This will be Knight's second matchup with Russell Westbrook, who outscored him 24-13 in a 99-79 rout last season. Westbrook had his first double-double of the season Thursday with 16 points and 12 assists.
"Russell's 12 assists, I think he only had two turnovers, I think he had just an all-around great game," Brooks said.
Serge Ibaka has increased his scoring output in every game this season with 21 points and nine boards in Chicago.
"Serge is a good player, he's not only a defensive guy, but he can score," Brooks said. "He can score around the basket and he can score around the perimeter."
The Pistons had won eight straight in this series before this slide. They have dropped their four visits to Oklahoma City by an average of 12.8 points.
The Thunder close this stretch versus the Central with Monday's rematch in Detroit.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Long history of Tiger-Sergio squabble
The nearly 15-year squabble between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia has reached a new l... -
Tebow's name found in NCAA game
In an embarrassing blow to the NCAA, a gamer recently discovered that former Florida ... -
Is Katherine Webb engaged?
Perhaps Alabama QB AJ McCarron did, in fact, “put a ring on itâ... -
Pacers steal Game 2, tie series
Roy Hibbert scored 29 points, David West knocked away two passes by LeBron James for ... -
Grizzlies' Allen fined $5,000 for flop
The NBA has fined Grizzlies guard Tony Allen $5,000 for violating the league's anti-f...
NBA Videos
LeBron: 'My turnovers hurt more than anything'
Posted: May 25, 2013
LeBron James' two turnovers in final minute doom Heat in Game 2 loss to Indiana....
LeBron James' two turnovers in final minute doom Heat in Game 2 loss to Indiana....
Bosh, Heat not playing up to par
Posted: May 25, 2013
Chris Bosh says Heat didn't play like themselves in Game 2 loss to Pacers.
Chris Bosh says Heat didn't play like themselves in Game 2 loss to Pacers.
George discusses Game 2 performance
Posted: May 25, 2013
Paul George gives insight into his great performance in the Pacers' 97-93 Game 2...
Paul George gives insight into his great performance in the Pacers' 97-93 Game 2...
NBA Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Revolution 30 Performance Jersey - Red | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Clippers/browse/featuredproduct/491845/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491845_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Revolution 30 Performance Jersey - Red |
| adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black |
| adidas Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Knicks/browse/featuredproduct/620470/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_620000/ff_620470_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.99 | adidas Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey.. |
| Mitchell & Ness San Antonio Spurs Black Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Antonio_Spurs/browse/featuredproduct/692239/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692239_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Mitchell & Ness San Antonio Spurs Black Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat |
| Majestic Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Logo Man T-Shirt - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/851828/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851828_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Majestic Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Logo Man T-Shirt - Black |
| Majestic Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder Logo Man T-Shirt - White | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_City_Thunder/browse/featuredproduct/851842/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851842_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Majestic Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder Logo Man T-Shirt - White |
| adidas Miami Heat 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - White | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/890174/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_890000/ff_890174_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | adidas Miami Heat 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Wh.. |
| adidas Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 NBA Western Conference Champions Locker Room Flex Hat - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_City_Thunder/browse/featuredproduct/890384/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_890000/ff_890384_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.99 | adidas Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 NBA Western Conference Champions Locker Room F.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.