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Thunder-Pistons Preview
Oklahoma City Thunder at Detroit Pistons
- Including a 105-94 win on Friday, the Thunder have won seven straight over the Pistons. Oklahoma City's seven straight wins against Detroit is its second longest active winning streak versus any opponent (Timberwolves -- 12).
- For the third time in franchise history, the Pistons have started the season with seven straight losses (1962-63, 1980-81). With a loss tonight, Detroit would be starting 0-8 for the first time in franchise history.
- Serge Ibaka had a career-high 25 points on 9-of-13 (69.2%) shooting from the field when these teams played on Friday. After scoring in single digits in each of his first two games of the season, Ibaka has scored in double figures in each of his last five games.
- After scoring a season-low 10 points on 3-of-10 (30.0%) shooting from the field against the Pistons on Friday, Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 27 points on 10-of-16 (62.5%) from the field in a win over the Cavaliers yesterday.
- After averaging 8.0 points and shooting 29.3% from the field in his first four games of the season, Brandon Knight is averaging 16.0 (48/3) points and is shooting 53.3% (16/30) from the field over his last three games.
- When these teams played on Friday, Andre Drummond scored a career-high 22 points on 8-of-10 (60.0%) shooting from the field. Drummond is the only rookie this season to score 20+ points and shoot at least 80.0% from the field.
By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
(AP) -- The Oklahoma City Thunder's four-game winning streak already includes a win over the Detroit Pistons.
There's every indication that it's about to be extended with another meeting.
The Thunder look to beat the winless Pistons for an eighth straight time and send them to the worst start in franchise history Monday night.
Oklahoma City (5-2) has hardly been tested during its four-game run, winning by an average of 13.0 points while shooting 51.2 percent from the floor.
The streak includes Friday's 105-94 victory over the visiting Pistons (0-7), their seventh consecutive win in the series. Only two of those contests, however, were in Detroit with the latest on Oct. 29, 2010.
One of two remaining winless teams in the NBA, Detroit is staring at a team record for the worst start to a season. Detroit has opened with seven straight losses for the third time, doing so previously in 1962-63 and again in 1980-81. This season's skid reached seven when it followed its most recent loss to the Thunder with Saturday's 96-82 defeat at Houston.
The Pistons' futile efforts included missing their first 10 shots of the fourth quarter before Brandon Knight hit a jumper with 6 minutes to go.
"There was no offensive energy out there at all," coach Lawrence Frank said. "We didn't even give ourselves a chance during that run. I don't make excuses why because I know we're capable of doing more.
"Your resolve is tested everyday regardless of what your record is."
The frustration is reaching beyond Frank.
"The way we are playing right now is unacceptable," said veteran Tayshaun Prince, who had 13 points and six rebounds against the Rockets. "Guys should be upset right now."
That's certainly not the case with the Thunder, who continued their surge with Sunday's 106-91 victory over Cleveland behind 27 points and 10 assists from Russell Westbrook.
It was a welcome performance by Westbrook, who averaged 14.8 points and 8.8 assists in his previous four games. He was limited to a season-low 10 and six against Detroit.
Continuing his increased scoring may mean more production from beyond the arc, where Westbrook is a career 29.2-percent shooter. The All-Star guard made a season-high 4 of 6 3-pointers Sunday after going 6 for 24 in the first six games.
"He's worked on it. He's going to continue to work on it," coach Scott Brooks said.
Kevin Durant continued his consistent play with a season-high 26 points Sunday. He has scored between 22 and 26 points in six of his seven games, with the lone exception a 15-point outing against Toronto on Nov. 6. Durant had 25 points and 13 rebounds against the Pistons.
Serge Ibaka matched Durant with a career-high 25 points Friday and scored 14 with seven blocks to match the league season high against the Cavaliers.
Also contributing is Kevin Martin, who has scored 16 points in each of the last two games. Martin, in the role of top reserve previously held by James Harden, ranks third on the Thunder with 17.7 points per game on 50.7 percent shooting, including 17 of 32 from 3-point range.
Updated November 12, 2012
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