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 |