The Thunder are right back at it Wednesday night, heading to Portland for the second game of this back-to-back against the Trail Blazers.
Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. CST at Moda Center, with the game airing on KSBI OKC. Fans can also watch online through Thunder+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Portland took the first meeting of the two-game set on Tuesday, rolling to a 123-103 home win over OKC. That dropped the Thunder to 8-3, while the Trail Blazers improved to 7-3.
For Oklahoma City, the challenge Wednesday is making the defensive adjustments that didn’t show up in the first game. Justin Martinez picked OKC to win 116-113, pointing to a better effort on the defensive end after the Thunder forced just nine turnovers Tuesday against a Portland team that has had issues protecting the ball this season. He also expects Oklahoma City to do a better job keeping the Trail Blazers away from the 3-point line after Portland went 19 for 50 from deep, good for 38%.
The betting line has the Thunder as 1.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 226.5. On the moneyline, OKC is -118 and Portland is -102.
Neither team had submitted an injury report as of Wednesday.
Projected starters for the Thunder are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell, Kenrich Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Portland’s projected starting five is Damian Lillard, Sidy Cissoko, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan.
In Other News...
Jared McCains Surge Suddenly Matters More For OKC Than Ever
With Ajay Mitchell ruled out for the upcoming game against Portland because of an ankle sprain, the Thunder suddenly have a little more room for someone else to shoulder the scoring load. Jared McCain has been trending up at the right time, and his recent efficiency has given Oklahoma City another perimeter option to lean on as it prepares for the rematch.
McCain already showed what that can look like against the Trail Blazers, when he put up 21 points in the previous meeting. If that kind of production carries over again, the Thunder could be asking him to do more than just fill minutes. The bigger question is whether this surge is the start of a larger offensive role or just a timely burst when Oklahoma City needs it most. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Could Need Nique Clifford Much Sooner Than Expected
Nique Cliffords first look in a Thunder uniform came with the usual rookie hurdles, but there was enough there to leave a positive impression on Mark Daigneault. Even while still getting his arms around the playbook and learning the feel of his new teammates, Clifford showed enough in his debut to suggest Oklahoma City may be able to lean on him sooner than expected if the need arises.
The need may already be forming as the Thunder work through a crowded injury situation, with Ajay Mitchells ankle issue only adding to the pressure on the rotation. If Clifford is asked to take on a bigger role, the timing could matter even more with Jared McCain trending upward offensively and potentially becoming a key piece in the upcoming meetings with the Portland Trail Blazers. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Face One Lineup Question In Crucial Portland Rematch
The Thunders second game in as many nights at the Moda Center brings a familiar kind of test, one shaped as much by attrition as by the opponent. Oklahoma City is back in Portland for a crucial rematch with a roster thinned by injuries, while the Trail Blazers are also navigating their own absences, leaving both teams to adjust on the fly in a game that could hinge on depth and lineup flexibility.
For the Thunder, the biggest question is how they piece together the rotation without several regular contributors available. The absences have opened the door for veteran Alex Caruso to move into the starting lineup, a notable wrinkle for a team trying to keep its footing in a back-to-back setting. With so many moving parts on both sides, the early minutes may say a lot about how Oklahoma City plans to survive this stretch. [Read more 🡒]