Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – March 2, 2017

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview

Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter — Portland, Oregon

When: Thursday, March 2, 2017 – 10:30 PM ET

Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (PK) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (PK); total: 221.5 – view all NBA lines

TV Broadcast: TNT

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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-25)

Point Spread: Pick’em

The Thunder won. Russell Westbrook had an insane stat line. The end.

Every win from OKC in the last couple of days can be summarized like that, as “Brodie” now has four straight triple-doubles (three from this week and one before the All-Star break).

The most recent had him posting 43 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a thrilling 109-106 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz. It was his 30th triple-double on the year, and fifth with 40-plus points, tying the single-season record for such.

As Westbrook and his new-look crew look to go up 2-1 in their season series with the Blazers, he should be laser-focused for redemption. The All-Star only netted an underwhelming 20 points on a mediocre 7-for-19 shooting in his previous appearance at Moda Cener, and they got easily bounced, 114-95.

He’ll be in a better position to counter Portland’s attack this time. Along with Victor Oladipo (16.1 PPG) and the returning Enes Kanter (14.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG), who’ll be in his fourth game back (forearm), is Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott slowly coming along. The pair of former Bulls are sure provide the Thunder an upgrade in their respective positions – Gibson scored 12 points and four rebounds in 21 minutes during his debut with the team last week, while McDermott will be coming off a 16-point, four three-pointer night.

OKC has won four straight games (4-0 ATS), but it has also lost four straight on the road (1-3 ATS).

Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers (24-35)

Point Spread: Pick’em

Tuesday’s hard-fought, 120-113 OT loss to the Pistons was yet another step back for Blazers, who are attempting to climb the standings and enter the playoff picture. They are currently the 10th seed in the West and have lost seven of their last nine (1-8 ATS).

The defeat also put a pair of all-around performances to waste, with Damian Lillard having 34 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, and Jusuf Nurkic contributing 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

In Portland’s aforementioned home win over OKC months back, they showcased an efficient and balanced offense. Along with collectively shooting 53.8 percent from the field, six guys were also in double figures. Lillard, who, as you may know, is a shoot-first point guard, out-assisted all of the Thunder’s starters combined (nine to eight).

Lillard, however, should always be expected to be a scoring machine, particularly since he’s now getting he’s groove back. “Dame Dolla” is pouring in 31.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists on 51.5 percent shooting in his last three.

He and CJ McCollum (23.3 PPG) will continue being the one of the highest-scoring backcourts in the league. Through their tandem, the Blazers are averaging 110.1 PPG and making 49.1 percent of their shots.

Portland has lost three consecutive games at home (0-3 ATS).

Writer’s Prediction

The Thunder (PK) win a close one, 118-115, with Westbrook and Lillard going mano y mano.

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