Game #41 Preview | Portland Trail Blazers

The Thunder GuysJanuary 9, 2018 No Comments

Tip-Off: 7 PM CT

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, OK)

Television: FSOK, NBA TV

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal

Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game

The Thunder is back home in Oklahoma City after a three-game road trip to start the year, and after dominating both the Lakers and Clippers in Los Angeles, the Thunder had a rough time with the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday. Andre Roberson continues to miss time due to a knee injury, and it has taken quite the toll on the defensive end of the floor. Tonight, the Thunder play host to the Portland Trail Blazers, who are missing a key piece of their own.

Damian Lillard will sit out for the seventh time in the last nine games with a right calf strain. Lillard killed the Thunder when the two teams met for the first time this season back in November as he recorded 36 points and 13 assists, so his absence could have a big impact on the outcome of the game. The Blazers have managed to go 5-3 in Lillard’s absence, but Oklahoma City will likely look to exploit the younger Shabazz Napier, who replaces Lillard in the starting lineup.

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Russell Westbrook
  • SG: Terrance Ferguson
  • SF: Paul George
  • PF: Carmelo Anthony
  • C: Steven Adams

Blazers

  • PG: Shabazz Napier
  • SG: C.J. McCollum
  • SF: Evan Turner
  • PF: Al-Farouq Aminu
  • C: Jusuf Nurkic

Injuries

Thunder

  • Andre Roberson (left patellar tendonitis) is OUT.

Blazers

  • Damian Lillard (right calf strain) is OUT.

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 18-19 against the Trail Blazers (11-7 at home, 7-12 on the road).
  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Trail Blazers three times, lost it four times, and tied twice.
  • Oklahoma City is 0-1 against Portland so far this season, losing 99-103 on November 5, 2017, in Portland.
  • The Thunder play the Trail Blazers two more times this season; both meetings are in March.
  • Oklahoma City has lost five of the last six matchups with Portland.
  • The Thunder lost the season series with the Trail Blazers 1-3 a year ago.
  • Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 58 points at home against the Blazers last season on March 7, 2017.

Game Notes

  • Oklahoma City lost on Sunday to the Suns in Phoenix, dropping three of their last five, while Portland has won their last two.
  • Oklahoma City is 7-3 in the last 10 games, while Portland is 5-5.
  • Oklahoma City is 14-6 at home, while Portland is 11-8 on the road.
  • Oklahoma City is 13-11 against the Western Conference, while Portland is 10-10.
  • Oklahoma City is 5-5 against the Northwest Division, while Portland is 2-3.
  • Oklahoma City is 13-11 coming off one day of rest, while Portland is 5-2 in the second game of a back-to-back.

Be sure to tune in at 5:30 PM CT for a brand new live episode of Thunder Things with the Thunder Guys. I will be solo today, so jump in on the conversation so I don’t feel lonely.

Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

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