The Thunder kicked off preseason play tonight in Oklahoma City, taking on the Detroit Pistons in the first action of the 2018-19 campaign. In a game that saw the Thunder take the floor without Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and others, the Pistons (who were without Blake Griffin and Reggie Jackson) took care of business and escaped town with a 97-91 victory.
The back-and-forth affair was tight from the jump, as the Thunder led throughout the first half and by three at the halftime break. The Pistons were able to turn the tide in the third quarter, holding the Thunder to 6-of-15 shooting and taking a two-point advantage into the final frame.