In recent days, the Oklahoma City Thunder has earned quite the confidence boost in the middle of its highly successful season.
The Thunder pulled out a five-point victory over the No. 1-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, setting itself up in a prime position to overtake the top spot in the Western Conference in the near future. To do that Oklahoma City will have to continue winning, and Tuesday night brings a considerably more manageable opportunity to do that.
The Portland Trail Blazers have endured a frustrating season. Many of their top players have dealt with nagging injuries throughout the season, and they find themselves as the No. 14 seed in the West.
Although hope was perceived from Portland’s selection of Scoot Henderson with the No. 2 pick in the last year’s draft, the rookie has struggled immensely to adjust to the NBA game. While it is much to early to count him out, his impact hasn’t been what the Trail Blazers were likely hoping for.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jerami Grant, Portland Trail BlazersAlonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
ODDS:
The Thunder enters the day as 14-point favorites to the Trail Blazers, and the total over/under is 237.5 points.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Although the Trail Blazers are undergoing a tough season, the roster still holds plenty of talented players that could the Thunder trouble. The pairing of Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant are each averaging over 20 points per game this season, which are similar numbers from last season.
Neither are doing it on a particularly efficient basis, but both have continued to thrive in the roles that Portland has given them.
Additional 15 points per game scorers come in the form of Shaedon Sharpe and Malcolm Brodgon, two guards in very different parts of their careers. Sharpe is just 20-years-old and developing nicely, while Brogdon is the veteran looking out.
The addition of DeAndre Ayton to the center position has been a solid one, although his production hasn’t matched that of his with the Phoenix Suns. He’s averaging 12.8 points and 10.4 rebounds, but hasn’t given a whole lot on the defensive end.
Ultimately the Thunder shouldn’t struggled to contain the Trail Blazers’ offense, has it ranks dead-last in the entire NBA in offensive rating (107.6). As long as it does what is has done to the Timberwolves and Jazz in previous games, it should come out with a win just fine.
RECORDS:
Oklahoma City Thunder (29-13) vs Portland Trail Blazers (12-30)
INJURIES:
Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.
WHEN:
Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 at 7 p.m. CT
LOCATION:
Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, OK
TV/RADIO:
Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)
FINAL WORD:
The matchup against the Trail Blazers tonight should be another “W” in the win column. Oklahoma City has done everything considerably better than them for the entirety of the season, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, it will be another step forward in gaining the coveted No. 1 seed in the West. Next, the Thunder will travel to San Antonio to rematch Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 8:30 p.m. CT.
It will be another entry in the Chet Holmgren and Wembanyama Rookie of the Year race, and pose another opportunity of gaining an additional win.
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