The Portland Trail Blazers invade the Paycom Center to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. Here’s a Thunder vs Trail Blazers Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs Trail Blazers Pick.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
The Portland Trail Blazers have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost six of their last eight games overall. But they will be looking to build some momentum after snapping a four-game losing streak with a 127-123 road win over the Warriors on Friday. Deni Advija led the starters with 26 points and 13 assists, Caleb Love provided the spark off the bench with 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Donovan Clingan tallied 22 points with 10 rebounds while Tounami Camara chipped in with 20 points.
As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 48 percent from the field and 16 of 45 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble after allowing 44 points in the second quarter to trail by 11 points. But they stayed within striking distance and made their move in the fourth quarter where they went on a pivotal 13-2 run to take the lead for good.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have continued their terrific start to the season as they’ve won 16 of their first 17 games. They are now aiming for a ninth straight victory after running past the Jazz in a 144-112 road win on Friday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 31 points and eight assists on nine of 14 shooting, Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams provided the spark off the bench with 16 and 15 points respectively, while Ajay Mitchell chipped in with 12 points.
As a team, the Thunder shot a sizzling 61 percent from the field and 23 of 37 from the 3-point line as they allowed a season-high 44 points in the first quarter to fall into an early 18-point deficit. Before they woke up and absolutely dominated the rest of the contest to earn their biggest margin of victory so far this season.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 37 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last nine road games against Western Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven road games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last four home games against Northwest Division opponents.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The underdogs have won three of the Trail Blazers’ last four games.
- The Thunder have lost six of their last 12 games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in each of their last five road games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last seven games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Thunder’s last nine home games against the Trail Blazers have gone UNDER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Cason Wallace ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.4) this season.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the only player in the league to have scored 30+ points in five straight games this season.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Deni Avdija ranks T6th in the league for fast break points (66) this season.
- Jerami Grant has played the most minutes in a single game without making a field goal of any player in the league this season – (30:51) against Warriors on November 21.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (106.3).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+16.4).
- The Trail Blazers rank 1st in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (94.6).
- The Trail Blazers have recorded the largest comeback win from a Q1 deficit this season – trailed by 20 points vs Thunder on November 5.
Thunder vs Trail Blazers Prediction
The Trail Blazers are still missing Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson and they are still keeping an eye on Robert Williams III who is questionable. Meanwhile, the Thunder are still banged up with Jalen Williams, Kenrich Williams, Nikola Topic, and Aaron Wiggins out. The Trail Blazers are still missing a bunch of key players but they won’t get any sympathy from the ruthless Thunder who have been dealing with a list of injuries since opening night.
The Trail Blazers snapped out of their funk with a nice win over the Warriors. They lost by just two points to the Thunder in their last meeting back on Nov 5, but the Thunder were on another level in their last outing. I think they can stay hot with another big win at home where they are now 7-0 on the season.