Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Hosts Trail Blazers as Heavy Favorite on NYE

Tip-Off: 7 PM CT

Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Spread: Thunder (-15.5)

Total: 234.5

Trends Against The Spread

Thunder	vs.	Blazers
17-16 (51%)	All	17-16 (51%)
10-8 (55%) at home	Location	8-9 (47%) on the road
17-16 (51%) as favorite	Status	14-7 (66%) as underdog
10-8 (55%) as home favorite	Location Status	6-4 (60%) as road underdog
1-2 (33%)	Head To Head	2-1 (66%)

Trends Against The Total

• Oklahoma City is 18-15 (54%) against the over on the season.
• Portland is 18-15 (54%) against the over on the season.
• The Thunder is 10-8 (55%) against the over at home.
• The Blazers are 10-7 (58%) against the over on the road.

Team Stats

TEAM	PTS	PA	FG%	3P%	REB	AST	TOV	STL	BLK	STRK	L10
POR	116.8	120.1	44.8	33.5	45.3	24.7	17.2	8.0	4.9	W2	5-5
OKC	122.1	107.9	49.4	36.8	44.5	25.8	12.6	10.3	5.3	W2	6-4

Injury Report

Thunder

• Brooks Barnhizer (G League — two-way) is OUT.
• Ousmane Dieng (strained right calf) is OUT.
• Isaiah Hartenstein (strained left soleus) is OUT.
• Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
• Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) is OUT.
• Jaylin Williams (right heel bursitis) is OUT.

Blazers

• Jerami Grant (left Achilles tendonitis) is OUT.
• Scoot Henderson (torn left hamstring) is OUT.
• Jrue Holiday (strained right calf) is OUT.
• Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon injury management) is OUT.
• Kris Murray (right quad contusion) is QUESTIONABLE.
• Matisse Thybulle (left thumb ligament tear) is OUT.
• Blake Wesley (fractured right foot) is OUT.

Series History

OKC is 2-1 against Portland so far this season (1-0 at home, 1-1 on the road).

Why the Thunder Will Cover (-15.5)

Oklahoma City’s defense has struggled as of late, but I see that turning around against a depleted Portland squad. Deni Avdija has had his way with plenty of teams this season—primarily due to a generous whistle that gets him to the free-throw line—but he managed just 11 points the last time he was in OKC. Thunder fans love ringing in the New Year with basketball, so expect a lively crowd that will push Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company into a fast start and blowout territory over the Blazers.

Why the Game Will Hit the Over (234.5)

While I do think OKC plays better defense, I don’t see Portland slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or the Thunder offense. Chet Holmgren has played some of his best basketball of the season in the last couple of outings, but I’d like to see Jalen Williams pop off as well. Again, I think an energetic crowd fuels this game, and that should take the point total just over the line.

Staff Picks

On the Season

Name	Moneyline	Spread	Over/Under
Matt	28-5	17-16	15-18
Zack	28-5	18-15	16-17
Craig	28-5	12-20-1	12-21