The Oklahoma City Thunder gutted out a defensive win on Saturday in Minnesota to defeat the Timberwolves, moving even closer to the top spot in the West. Minnesota lost a close one last night against the Charlotte Hornets, and now the Thunder is suddenly just a half game back of being number 1 in the West. A win tonight would tie them with Minnesota, and because of the head-to-head edge, OKC would be at the top of the standings.
Tonight OKC plays a quick game at home against the Portland Trail Blazers before heading back out for another road trip. These two teams met just a little under two weeks ago as the Thunder soundly defeated the Blazers 139-77, making history with the fifth-largest margin of victory in NBA history. While tonight’s game isn’t likely to be quite the same outcome, it’s safe to assume that the Thunder should be able to win comfortably.
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: Malcolm Brogdon
- SG: Anfernee Simons
- SF: Jerami Grant
- PF: Jabari Walker
- C: Deandre Ayton
Injury Report
Thunder
- Ousmane Dieng is OUT (G League – on assignment)
- Olivier Sarr is OUT (strained right hip flexor).
- Lindy Waters III is OUT (G League — two-way).
Blazers
- Moses Brown is OUT (fractured wrist).
- Shaedon Sharpe is QUESTIONABLE (strained lower abdominal).
- Robert Williams III is OUT (ligament tear in right knee).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 35-26 (19-11 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 2-0 against the Blazers so far this season (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- The Thunder has won 10 straight against the Blazers including 5 straight in OKC.