It’s a matchup of two of the best guards in the NBA on Thursday night in the second TNT national TV game as Oklahoma City and Russell Westbrook visit Portland and Damian Lillard. It’s already the final meeting between the Western Conference foes this season. The Blazers are likely to be slight home NBA odds favorites.
When: Thursday, March 2, 10:30 PM ET Where: Moda Center, Portland TV: TNT Stream: NBA.tv Radio: Oklahoma City / Portland NBA Odds: Blazers favored by TBA
This past Friday night versus the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook became the third player in the last 40 years to record 17+ points, 17+ rebounds and 17+ assists. Westbrook joined Magic Johnson (4/18/89) and Rajon Rondo (3/4/12) as the only other player in the last four decades to accomplish such a feat.
Through the first 59 games of the season, Westbrook had amassed averages of 31.0 points (1st in the NBA), 10.6 rebounds (12th in the NBA) and 10.3 assists (3rd in the NBA). By reaching these benchmarks, Westbrook is now the second player in NBA history (Oscar Robertson) to average 30+ points, 10+ rebounds and 10+ assists through the first 50+ games of a NBA season. Westbrook again joins Robertson (1961-62) as the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double entering the month of February.
With 29 triple-doubles on the season, Westbrook has already amassed the third most triple-double in a single season. Westbrook now owns 66 career triple-doubles which is the most among active NBA players and the fifth most in NBA history. His 29 triple-doubles already surpassed his total from last year (Westbrook recorded 18 triple-doubles during the 2015-16 season which equaled the most since Magic Johnson during the 1981-82 season).
Steven Adams (12.3 ppg) and Enes Kanter (14.3 ppg) have combined to average 26.6 points per game while scoring at a very effective clip. Both Adams (ranks 7th; .573) and Kanter (ranks 8th; .555) rank in the top 10 in NBA field goal shooting percentage. The Thunder are currently the third leading rebounding team in the NBA (46.6 rpg). OKC is now 13-2 this season when outrebounding the opposition by 10 or more. Additionally, the Thunder rank second in the NBA with respect to points in the paint (49.3 per game).
Lillard is tied for 13th in the NBA with 40 games of 20+ points this season. Of the 15 people in that group, Lillard is one of two players (Anthony-Towns) to have not been named a 2017 NBA All-Star. Lillard has made 965 three-pointers in his NBA career, making him one of three NBA players to make at least 900 3-pointers in his first five seasons in league history (Klay Thompson-1,060/ Stephen Curry-905).
Lillard (1,372 pts) and CJ McCollum (1,350 pts) were the second pair of teammates to each score at least 1,000 points in the NBA this season, following only Curry and Kevin Durant of Golden State. Al-Farouq Aminu has averaged 14.3 points (43.3% FG) and 9.0 rebounds over his last six games (two double-doubles). Aminu has scored in double figures in a season-high four consecutive games from Feb. 7-26, including a season-high 26 points vs. Boston on Feb. 9.
Thursday marks the third regular season matchup between the Trail Blazers and Thunder in 2016-17. It’s the second and final meeting at the Moda Center between these two teams. Last time they played, Oklahoma City defeated Portland, 105-99, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Feb. 5. Westbrook scored a game-high 42 points, while Victor Oladipo tallied 24 points and 12 assists.
The Trail Blazers have won five consecutive home games against the Thunder dating back to the start of the 2014-15 season. Portland has won multiple games vs. OKC in each of the past three seasons. Allen Crabbe scored 10 points in Portland’s most recent game vs. OKC on Feb. 5, and has now scored in double figures three straight times against the Thunder (12.3 ppg).
Oklahoma City at Portland NBA Odds, Betting Pick & TV Info
When: Thursday, March 2, 10:30 PM ET Where: Moda Center, Portland TV: TNT Stream: NBA.tv Radio: Oklahoma City / Portland NBA Odds: Blazers favored by TBA
Why Bet on Oklahoma City?
Norris Cole has agreed to a deal with the Thunder that will keep him with the team for the remainder of the season. Cole will help back up Russell Westbrook in OKC, which will likely shift Semaj Christon to the third-string point guard on the roster. The Thunder needed a backup after trading Cameron Payne to the Bulls last week for Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott.This past Friday night versus the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook became the third player in the last 40 years to record 17+ points, 17+ rebounds and 17+ assists. Westbrook joined Magic Johnson (4/18/89) and Rajon Rondo (3/4/12) as the only other player in the last four decades to accomplish such a feat.
Through the first 59 games of the season, Westbrook had amassed averages of 31.0 points (1st in the NBA), 10.6 rebounds (12th in the NBA) and 10.3 assists (3rd in the NBA). By reaching these benchmarks, Westbrook is now the second player in NBA history (Oscar Robertson) to average 30+ points, 10+ rebounds and 10+ assists through the first 50+ games of a NBA season. Westbrook again joins Robertson (1961-62) as the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double entering the month of February.
With 29 triple-doubles on the season, Westbrook has already amassed the third most triple-double in a single season. Westbrook now owns 66 career triple-doubles which is the most among active NBA players and the fifth most in NBA history. His 29 triple-doubles already surpassed his total from last year (Westbrook recorded 18 triple-doubles during the 2015-16 season which equaled the most since Magic Johnson during the 1981-82 season).
Steven Adams (12.3 ppg) and Enes Kanter (14.3 ppg) have combined to average 26.6 points per game while scoring at a very effective clip. Both Adams (ranks 7th; .573) and Kanter (ranks 8th; .555) rank in the top 10 in NBA field goal shooting percentage. The Thunder are currently the third leading rebounding team in the NBA (46.6 rpg). OKC is now 13-2 this season when outrebounding the opposition by 10 or more. Additionally, the Thunder rank second in the NBA with respect to points in the paint (49.3 per game).
Why Bet on Portland?
Swingman Evan Turner will have his cast removed on Friday and hopes to play “in a week or so.” Turner fractured the third metacarpal in his right hand on February 7th. The initial prognosis was for him to be sidelined for 5-6 weeks, so it appears he is a bit ahead of schedule.Lillard is tied for 13th in the NBA with 40 games of 20+ points this season. Of the 15 people in that group, Lillard is one of two players (Anthony-Towns) to have not been named a 2017 NBA All-Star. Lillard has made 965 three-pointers in his NBA career, making him one of three NBA players to make at least 900 3-pointers in his first five seasons in league history (Klay Thompson-1,060/ Stephen Curry-905).
Lillard (1,372 pts) and CJ McCollum (1,350 pts) were the second pair of teammates to each score at least 1,000 points in the NBA this season, following only Curry and Kevin Durant of Golden State. Al-Farouq Aminu has averaged 14.3 points (43.3% FG) and 9.0 rebounds over his last six games (two double-doubles). Aminu has scored in double figures in a season-high four consecutive games from Feb. 7-26, including a season-high 26 points vs. Boston on Feb. 9.
Thursday marks the third regular season matchup between the Trail Blazers and Thunder in 2016-17. It’s the second and final meeting at the Moda Center between these two teams. Last time they played, Oklahoma City defeated Portland, 105-99, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Feb. 5. Westbrook scored a game-high 42 points, while Victor Oladipo tallied 24 points and 12 assists.
The Trail Blazers have won five consecutive home games against the Thunder dating back to the start of the 2014-15 season. Portland has won multiple games vs. OKC in each of the past three seasons. Allen Crabbe scored 10 points in Portland’s most recent game vs. OKC on Feb. 5, and has now scored in double figures three straight times against the Thunder (12.3 ppg).
