The moment Detroit agreed to trade Andre Drummond to Cleveland, it became clear that the matchup at center would play a large role Friday night between the Thunder and Pistons.
But in Oklahoma City’s 108-101 win at Chesapeake Energy Arena the day after the trade deadline, the big man battle played out in unexpected ways. Steven Adams and the Thunder had a clear size advantage on the Drummond-less Pistons. Detroit coach Dwane Casey alluded to that when asked before the game who would start at center.
“Steven Adams presents a different problem,” he said. “It’s probably going to be a tag-team situation tonight with him.