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The Portland Trail Blazers will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder for the first of four meetings this season.
The 17-13 Trail Blazers are tied for fifth in the Western Conference and have won four of their past five games. Portland ranks 18th in points per game and seventh in offensive rating, while defensively they are ranked 11th in opponents points per game and 23rd in defensive rating.
The 12-18 Thunder are 13th in the Western Conference and have lost five of their past six games. Oklahoma City ranks eleventh in points per game and 21st in offensive rating. Their defense ranks 27th in opponents points per game and 15th in defensive rating.
The Trail Blazers are 10-7 on the road, while the Thunder are 7-7 at home.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Match Details
Fixture: Portland Trail Blazers at Oklahoma City Thunder
Date and Time: Monday, December 19, 8:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report
The Trail Blazers will be without guard Gary Payton II, who is yet to make his season debut as he recovers from offseason core surgery. Nassir Little will also remain out for Portland as he deals with a right hip fracture. Despite dealing with a left ankle sprain and right calf soreness, respectively, starting small forward Josh Hart and starting center Jusuf Nurkic are probable to play. Starting power forward Jerami Grant is listed as questionable with back spasms.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without their starting backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey as they are out with a lower back contusion and non-COVID illness, respectively. They will also be without starting forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl as he remains out with a right ankle sprain. Darius Bazley and Ousmane Dieng are also out with a non-COVID illness and right wrist fracture, respectively. Rookie big man Chet Holmgren, who is yet to make his NBA debut, is out as he will miss the entire season after having right foot surgery.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Odds and Spread
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
$1,000 No Sweat First Bet at FanDuel Sportsbook
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Starting 5s
Trail Blazers - PG Damian Lillard, SG Anfernee Simons, SF Josh Hart, PF Jerami Grant, C Jusuf Nurkic
Thunder - PG Jalen Williams, SG Isaiah Joe, SF Luguentz Dort, PF Eugene Omoruyi, C Aleksej Pokusevski
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Prediction
The Portland Trail Blazers have been a much different team when star point guard Damian Lillard suits up. In games that Lillard has started and finished, Portland is 12-4. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be depleted as several of their key players are listed as out. Look for Portland to take advantage as they win by at least six points on the road.
Prediction: Trail Blazers -5.5 (-110)
