As the Detroit Pistons inch closer to securing a playoff spot, the team faces possibly its toughest test of the season: A nationally-televised matchup against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, and likely without their All-Star guard Cade Cunningham.
There were plenty of fireworks the last time the Thunder and the Pistons matched up. The Thunder squeezed out a 113-107 win in Detroit on March 15, even as the Pistons clawed back in the fourth quarter without the help of Cunningham, who was ejected in the third while talking with a referee.
Cunningham has missed his last four games with a left calf contusion, and he has been listed as doubtful for the upcoming game against the Thunder as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Pistons (42-33) are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, two games behind the Indiana Pacers and just one game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks. They had a three-game win streak following Cunningham's injury – including a 133-122 home victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers – but dropped their most recent game to the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-104 on Sunday, which led to three players being suspended from the Pistons.
With the Atlanta Hawks losing to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday and the Orlando Magic losing to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, the Pistons can clinch a top-6 seed in the NBA playoffs with a win over the Thunder on Wednesday.
Where to watch Pistons vs Thunder
Channel: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit.
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network app.
