After a tough 4-5 outing in last week’s predictions, our season record now stands at 275-154, with an accuracy rate of 64.1%. Tonight, we have a single game on the slate as the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Thunder, led by MVP-caliber play from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have been one of the league’s most dominant teams this season. On the other hand, the Trail Blazers have had a rough season, plagued by injuries and a lack of cohesion.
Let’s aim to keep our predictions strong with tonight’s lone game.
Oklahoma City Thunder At Portland Trail Blazers – 6:00 PM EST
Thunder Current Record: 36-8
Blazers Current Record: 17-28
Thunder Injuries: Lugentz Dort – Out (Knee), Chet Holmgren – Out (Hip), Nikola Topic – Out (Knee), Ajay Mithcell – Out (Foot)
Blazers Injuries: Taze Moore – Out (Hip), Deandre Ayton – Out (Knee), Matisse Thybulle – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Thunder Lead 5-0
The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in a Western Conference matchup. The Thunder aim to bounce back after a surprising home loss to the Dallas Mavericks, where despite strong performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, the rest of the roster struggled to contribute. With a stellar 16-5 road record, the Thunder remain a dominant force in the league, and they’ll look to reestablish their rhythm.
On the other side, the Trail Blazers enter this game on a four-game win streak, their best stretch of the season. Anfernee Simons has been leading the charge offensively, while Portland’s defense has been a standout, allowing just 99.2 points per 100 possessions during this stretch.
However, the quality of their recent opponents raises questions about the sustainability of their form. The Blazers remain at a disadvantage in key metrics, especially in offensive efficiency, where the Thunder shine.
Despite Portland’s recent momentum, Oklahoma City’s depth and consistency, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s elite play, should give them the upper hand. Look for the Thunder to control the tempo and rebound from their previous loss.
Prediction: Thunder def. Blazers 115-104