The Detroit Pistons, who were dealing with injuries to starters Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton, are now without newly acquired shooting guard Ben Gordon, who missed Friday night's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers with a sprained ankle.
Those injuries have left the Pistons to rely on their untested talents. Rookies Austin Daye and Jonas Jerebko moved into the starting lineup alongside third-year point guard Rodney Stuckey. Off the bench, Detroit went to three-year pro Will Bynum, who scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Friday's loss.
"We have a lot of guys who can play multiple positions,"Stuckey told reporters. "(Gordon) is a scorer and we are going to miss him. He is going to be back soon, though. This is an opportunity for our young guys to come in and play."
Gordon is doubtful heading into Sunday's game with Atlanta. The Hawks are coming off a win over the Philadelphia 76ers and have been victorious in eight of their last 10 games. Atlanta has won and covered each of its last three meeting with Detroit.
Pick: Atlanta
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5, 194)
Houston turned some heads at the start of the schedule, despite missing Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. The team maintained its scoring punch thanks to role players like Aaron Brooks, who is averaging 16 points per game.
However, in recent games, the Rockets' spark plug has struggled and the team has suffered because of it. Brooks has had scoring performances of nine, eight and 12 points in the past three contests, leading Houston to 2-1 record in which it failed to cover in each game.
Brooks was 5-for-16 from the field in the Rockets' most recent outing, a 92-84 loss to the San Antonio Spurs Friday. The former Oregon Ducks was just 1-for-4 from beyond the arc and got to the foul line only once on a three-point play late in the game.
Brooks could have a hard time getting loose against a talented and energetic Thunder backcourt. Oklahoma City ranks seventh in team steals with pickpockets on the perimeter in Thabo Sefolosha, Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and rookie James Harden.
Pick n Roll 11/29
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