NBA 2018/19: 3 Talking Points From the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Portland Trail Blazers match

#1 The Numbers (Stats)

Not only are these two teams evenly matched based on roster composition, but they are similar by the numbers as well.

The Thunder average 111.9 points per game and give up 105.4 points per game. The Trail Blazers score 111.3 points per game and give up about 110.4 points per game. They are very similar in most categories.

One area where the Trailblazers excel and OKC is average is free throw shooting. OKC normally shoots 70% from the free throw line while the Trailblazers shoot 81% from the free throw line.

However, in this game, while Portland shot 18/23 for 85.7% from the line the Thunder were 17% better than their average from the charity stripe going 23/26 at 88.5%. Paul George was 12/14 from the charity stripe.

In making their freebies the Thunder helped their cause as they stayed close to Portland on the scoreboard until the late third quarter when they took control of the game.

Another area in which these two teams differ stats wise is in fast break points. The Thunder average 17.5 fast break points per game and the Trail Blazers usually allow opponents to score 14.8 fast break points per game.

In tonight’s game, the Thunder got 18 fast break points and the Trailblazers were limited to just 8.

This was a good game to watch between two evenly matched teams. Currently, the Thunder are second and the Trail Blazers are fifth in the Western Conference and could potentially be a first round matchup.

As mentioned earlier, they will face each other three more times in the second half of the season when teams are serious about their playoff seeding. This divisional rivalry should be one to enjoy for the rest of the season.