Detroit — The Detroit Pistons dropped their second consecutive game, a 113-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added to his MVP candidacy with a game-high 48 points, shooting an efficient 17-of-26 and dishing six assists to lead the Thunder.

Cade Cunningham struggled to match Gilgeous-Alexander’s production because of the Thunder’s defensive strategy. They made it difficult for him to drive to the basket and sent several different defenders to contest his shot. He finished with 11 points on 5-of-18 shooting, nine assists, and seven rebounds. With 48 seconds left in the third quarter, Cunningham received his second career ejection, picking up his second technical foul.

After trailing by as many as 16 points, the Pistons rallied and closed the gap to four points (98-94) when Ausar Thompson (eight points) made 1-of-2 free throws with 5:15 remaining in the fourth quarter. A few possessions later, Tim Hardaway Jr.’s (11 points) 3-point field goal helped the Pistons come within a point (101-100) at the 3:15 mark of the period.

BOX SCORE: Thunder 113, Pistons 107

Isaiah Hartenstein provided the Thunder with a two-point lead. However, Gilgeous-Alexander responded with back-to-back scores, halting Detroit’s momentum. Four players scored in double figures, with Tobias Harris leading the way with 18 points and seven rebounds. Dennis Schroder added 17 points off the bench.

Up next

The Pistons will begin a three-game road trip on Monday, starting with an interconference against the New Orleans Pelicans. They will then travel to Miami to face the Heat on Wednesday. The final game of the road trip will be played on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks. Tip-off against the Pelicans is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Smoothie King Center.

Coty.Davis@detroitnews.com

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