The Thunder head to Portland on Tuesday night looking to keep their roll going, while the Trail Blazers try to stop a slide that has started to bite.
OKC enters the matchup at 8-2 and riding a four-game winning streak after hammering Washington 114-75 on Saturday. Portland comes in at 6-3 after a 125-103 home loss to San Antonio, and the Blazers are trying to shake off back-to-back defeats.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Moda Center in Portland.
For viewers wondering about the broadcast, the source article does not list a TV channel for Thunder vs. Trail Blazers.
The betting market has OKC as a 1.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 226.5. The moneyline lists OKC at -130 and Portland at +105.
Justin Martinez sees the Thunder coming out on top, picking OKC 112, Portland 108. His case starts with defense.
The Thunder own the NBA’s second-best defensive rating at 105.5 even while missing three former All-Defensive players in Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. Martinez pointed to Aday Mara and Isaiah Hartenstein as pieces that can help crowd the paint and make life tougher for Deni Avdija getting downhill, while Alex Caruso’s return gives Oklahoma City another elite option to throw at Damian Lillard.
The injury list is long on both sides. Oklahoma City is without Holmgren, Thomas Sorber, Nikola Topić, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams. Portland lists Vit Krejci, Ja Morant, Shaedon Sharpe and John Tonje as out.
The projected Thunder starters are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ajay Mitchell, Kenrich Williams, Aday Mara and Isaiah Hartenstein. Portland’s projected starting five is Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan.
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The broader concern for Oklahoma City is less about the final score than the way the Blue struggled to create clean looks for long stretches. OKC shot 39% from the field and was ice-cold from deep, a rough backdrop for a player the organization is easing back into action and hoping can steadily regain his feel. For now, the return is underway, but the next step in that ramp-up will matter just as much as the first one. [Read more 🡒]