The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Miami Heat 128-120 on Wednesday night to finish 2-2 during a 4-game road trip. Tonight the Thunder returns home for a second game of a back-to-back as they host the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers have had a less than ideal season thus far, going 10-26 with 16 losses by double digits. Portland traded away Damian Lillard in the offseason, and they have dealt with a litany of injuries, which has been a major contributor to their poor record.
In the first meeting between the Thunder and the Blazers in Portland, OKC handled the Blazers with ease with a score of 134-91. Portland is quite a bit healthier tonight, but they are still struggling, so OKC should be able to take care of business in front of the home crowd and continue their trek towards the top of the Western Conference standings.
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Portland Trail Blazers Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Blazers
- PG: Scoot Henderson
- SG: Anfernee Simons
- SF: Toumani Camara
- PF: Jerami Grant
- C: Duop Reath
Injury Report
Thunder
- NONE
Blazers
- DeAndre Ayton is DOUBTFUL (tendinitis in right knee).
- Moses Brown is OUT (fractured wrist).
- Jabari Walker is QUESTIONABLE (tendinitis in left knee).
- Robert Williams III is OUT (ligament tear in right knee).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 34-26 (18-11 at home, 16-15 on the road) against the Trail Blazers in the regular season and 1-4 (1-1 at home, 0-3 on the road) in the playoffs.
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Trail Blazers 6 times, lost it 6 times, and tied 3 times.
- The Thunder went 4-0 (2-0 at home, 2-0 on the road) against the Blazers last season.
- The Thunder is 1-0 against the Blazers so far this season (0-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- The Thunder has won 9 straight against the Blazers including 4 straight in OKC.