Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers 3/7/19: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder were looking almost unbeatable before the All-Star break, but they have not looked the same since they returned from Charlotte, losing six of their last eight games. Much of that can be due to Paul George being sidelined with an injury, but he’ll have his second game back tonight as they take on the Portland Trail Blazers on the road. The Blazers are nipping at their heels in the Western Conference standings.
The Thunder dropped from third place in the West to fourth with the Houston Rockets usurping them, but a lot can change in one night in the Western Conference. The Thunder are 39-25 on the season, lost their last game and are 4-6 in their last 10. The Trail Blazers are technically in a three-way tie with the Rockets and Thunder, although head-to-heads would put them at the lower fifth seed for the playoffs. They are also 39-25 on the season but they are 6-4 in their last 10, but also dropped their most recent game.
In the last matchup between both teams on February 11, Oklahoma City won 120-11, with Paul George scoring 47 points and Russell Westbrook notching another triple-double. The Blazers were led in the loss by Damian Lillard’s 31 points and six assists.
TV Schedule
Date: 03/07/19
Time: 10:30pm ET
Arena: Moda Center, Portland, OR
Channel: TNT
Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Terrance Ferguson
SF: Paul George
PF: Jerami Grant
C: Steven Adams
Thunder Analysis
The Thunder know by now that it will take more than an outstanding effort from All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook to secure wins in the Western Conference.
Westbrook had 38 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists on Tuesday night against Minnesota, but it was not enough for a win as they fell 120-131 to the Timberwolves. Even with Paul George back and scoring 25 points, he struggled on offense, and Oklahoma City, who have the second-best defense in the league, could not get their defense going as they allowed Minnesota to shoot at a 52 percent clip from the field and 47 percent from beyond the arch.
“We have to be better defensively,” Westbrook said. “Just help side, being physical. We have to have a physical presence at each position. For us to win, we have to be able to find that and find a way to get it together.”
A 41-point second quarter by Minnesota really did the damage early, especially with Karl-Anthony Towns going off for 41 points and 14 rebounds.
Aside from Dennis Schroeder, the Thunder also didn’t get much scoring help off their bench. They’ll need George to shake off the rust and for the defense to be tighter against a team in Portland tonight that can put up points quickly, especially with playoff positioning already on the line.
Thunder Quick Links: Thunder Starting Lineup, Thunder Roster, Thunder Depth Chart, Thunder Injuries, Thunder News, Thunder Schedule
Portland Trail Blazers Starting Lineup
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: CJ McCollum
SF: Maurice Harkless
PF: Al-Farouq Aminu
C: Jusuf Nurkic
Contents
Blazers Analysis
Portland big man Jusuf Nurkic has to be looking at what Karl-Anthony Towns did to the Oklahoma City Thunder defense in their last game wondering if he can do the same tonight. But Nurkic will have to bounce back from a down night in Portland’s 111-120 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.
In the loss, Nurkic managed just six points, though he did contribute with 10 rebounds and nine assists.
This will be a big game for the Blazers, who are locked in a three-way tie. A win tonight can shuffle playoff positioning in the Western Conference.
“Both teams know it’s a big game,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said. “As far as playoff seeding, they already have the tie-breaker. But it should be a good game.”
What makes tonight’s matchup an especially good one is the matchup between elite All-Star guards Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook. Lillard and CJ McCollum have led the Blazers all season, and although the Blazers blew a big lead on Tuesday dues to a second-quarter lapse, the Blazers have played well recently. Maurice Harkless has continued his solid play, and he had 20 points on Tuesday night.
Enes Kanter is also seeming to get comfortable with his new team and his addition should help not only tonight against Steven Adams, but also in the playoffs.
Blazers Quick Links: Blazers Starting Lineup, Blazers Roster, Blazers Depth Chart, Blazers Injuries, Blazers News, Blazers Schedule
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds
The Trail Blazers are four-point favorites to win tonight’s game at the Moda Center. Portland is 24-8 at home and 28-10 as the favorite. The Thunder are 17-15 on the road and 7-6 as the underdog.
The over/under is 232 points and the Blazers are -165 on the moneyline.
Odds & Line Movement Links: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers, Vegas Odds (All NBA Games Today)
Free Betting Picks Today: NBA Betting Props: Picks + Analysis 3/7/19
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