Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder will look to extend their modest winning streak while simultaneously snapping the Portland Trail Blazers identical winning streak when the two Western Conference playoff hopefuls square off on Thursday night. If you’re looking for some expert NBA betting picks for this weekend, then look no further.
Thunder vs Trail Blazers NBA Lines & Game Prediction
Tonight in the City of Roses. 🌹
Catch all the action on @FOXSportsOK. pic.twitter.com/weQa4Vb07A — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) 4 de enero de 2019
- When: Friday January 4, 2018 at 9:30 PM ET
- Where: Mode Center
- TV: ESPN, NSNW, FSOK
- Radio: Oklahoma City / Portland
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Odds: Portland -1 / Total: 222
Why Bet On The Oklahoma City Thunder?
Why should you consider betting on Oklahoma City in this contest? Well, there’s the fact that the Thunder are the better statistical team at both ends of the floor in ranking 11th in scoring (111.9 ppg) and a fantastic fourth in points allowed (105.4 ppg). Then, there’s the fact that the Thunder have won two straight and seven of 10 including an impressive 107-101 win over the Lakers on Wednesday night. Paul George went off for a game-high 37 points to overcome Russell Westbrook’s pitiful 3-for-20 night while reaching the 30-point plateau for the sixth time in his last nine games.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 111.95
- Field Goals: 45.51%
- Three Points: 31.96%
- Free Throws: 70.07%
- Rebounds: 48.81
- Average Score Against: 105.41
- Field Goals: 44.92%
- Three Points: 33.60%
- Free Throws: 74.47%
- Rebounds: 44.54
Why Bet On The The Portland Trail Blazers?
Why should you consider betting on Portland in this contest? Well, there’s the fact that the Blazers are playing at home where they’ve gone 14-6 so far this season. Then, there’s the fact that Portland has won two straight and seven of their last 10 games overall including a hard-fought 113-108 win over Sacramento on Tuesday. Damian Lillard scored a team-high 25 points in the win while center Jusuf Nurkic added 24 points and 23 rebounds. The Blazers average 111.3 points per game (14th) while allowing 110.4 points per contest defensively (16th).
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 111.29
- Field Goals: 45.51%
- Three Points: 35.60%
- Free Throws: 81.23%
- Rebounds: 48.53
- Average Score Against: 110.45
- Field Goals: 45.55%
- Three Points: 36.97%
- Free Throws: 73.45%
- Rebounds: 44.13
Thunder vs Trail Blazers NBA Betting Trends
- Oklahoma City is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
- Oklahoma City is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City’s last 5 games on the road
- Portland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
- Portland is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland’s last 5 games
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Thunder vs Trail Blazers
The Oklahoma City Thunder might have the slightly better record heading into this contest, but the Portland Trailblazers are the pick to hold it down at home to get the ATS cover as a slight 1-point favorite. While Paul George is playing the best basketball of his NBA career, Russell Westbrook is in a career-worst shooting slump. More importantly, the Thunder don’t have a bunch of other consistent scorers outside of George and Westbrook.
I’m expecting the usual great effort out of Portland Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, but it is the eye-opening play of center Jusuf Nurkic that I believe will be the difference in this contest. For the season, Nurkic is averaging 14.7 points and 10,5 rebounds per game not to mention 1.1 steals, 1.3 blocks and 3.0 assists per contest. While the underdog in this series has gone 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings, the home team is 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings while the Thunder are 0-6 ATS in the last 6 meetings and 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Portland. The Blazers win and cover in a thriller NBA hoops fanatics.
NHL Betting Pick: Portland 112 Oklahoma City 108
