Pistons at Thunder
The Detroit Pistons traded the NBA's leading rebounder prior to Thursday's deadline, leaving a large hole in the middle for Friday's road contest versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. Detroit dispatched two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers for forward John Henson, guard Brandon Knight and a second-round pick in 2023.
Drummond is averaging a career-best 17.8 points to go with his 15.8 rebounding mark but the return was light because the 26-year-old can opt out of his contract after the season and become a free agent. "If there’s one thing I learned about the NBA, there’s no friends or loyalty," Drummond said on Twitter as he learned of the deal. "I’ve given my heart and soul to the Pistons, and to have this happen with no heads up makes me realize even more that this is just a business!" The Thunder considered shipping forward Danilo Gallinari to Miami but the deal broke down when the 31-year-old and the Heat couldn't reach contract terms. Gallinari is averaging 19.1 points for Oklahoma City, which has won eight of its past nine games.
TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: FS Detroit-Plus, FS Oklahoma
ABOUT THE PISTONS (19-34): Detroit was shopping Drummond in recent weeks in hopes of landing a first-round pick but the Pistons took what was available at the deadline to avoid losing him for nothing. The team hasn't exactly been tearing it up with the big man as Wednesday's 116-108 triumph over the Phoenix Suns was just its second in the past eight games. Point guard Derrick Rose (hip) will likely miss his third straight contest and that again leaves Detroit relying on Reggie Jackson, who had 25 points against the Suns for his third 20-point outing in the past five games but had shooting performances of 1-of-16 and 2-of-12 in the other two contests during the span.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (31-20): Gallinari is the third-leading scorer behind guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19.5) and Dennis Schroder (19.1), and point guard Chris Paul is also thriving by averaging 17 per game. Schroder has scored 20 or more points in each of the past eight games and poured in 30 in Wednesday's 109-103 home win over the Cavaliers. "He's really playing at a high level and he's done a really, really good job for us and he's been a great spark off the bench," Thunder coach Billy Donovan told reporters of Schroder.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Thunder have won three straight meetings and 16 of the past 20.
2. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points against Cleveland and has reached double digits in 25 straight appearances.
3. Detroit PF Markieff Morris (hip) could sit out for the fourth straight game.