Oklahoma City Thunder

Game Day: Oklahoma City Thunder seek to Blaze new trails, Dec 13

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jan 10, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) tries to get past Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Arguably the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Portland Trail Blazers are the two teams in the NBA who can relate the most to one another. Each team features  super star guards, top 8-seeding and both are dealing with voids left after core members left in free agency.

Entering the season, Portland who had spent handsomely to retain developing talent, were earmarked by most pundits to improve upon their fifth place result. Conversely, the Thunder were expected to regress following the defection of Kevin Durant and loss of Serge Ibaka. Through the quarter season mark the teams are performing like the other was expected to.

Although there is optimism in OKC, the game Sunday served as a fresh reminder of how precarious the game can be.  Just two hours earlier, a split second occurrence drilled home that point. Victor Oladipo streaked to the corner to close out on Jonas Jerebko. Seconds later, Oladipo lie motionless on the court for what seemed like an eternity. As the hushed crowd looked on, anxiety began to mount. When Dipo finally rose under his own power and left the court, many Thunder fans in attendance and watching from home breathed a huge sigh of relief. Since then we’ve learned Dipo passed the concussion protocol test and his x-rays were negative.

But, the incident itself struck a chord, prompting Thunder fans to recall key injuries which have derailed recent seasons. Further, it pointed out how vulnerable this year’s version of the Thunder are, given their off season shake-up. It also served to showcase what Russell Westbrook and this young squad have accomplished in spite of the odds.

Conversely, the Blazers, who were apparently stuck in a hot tub time machine are just now feeling the effects of losing 5 core players two summers ago. Last years’ Cinderella team suddenly appear vulnerable especially upfront and are in jeopardy of falling out of playoff seeding.

Suffice to say, in the first meeting of the season between the Northwest Division foes, neither will be taking the other for granted.

With that in mind, let’s break down the match  with a view to the line-ups, statistical comparison, and keys to the win.

Dec 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) and guard Allen Crabbe (23) celebrate during the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Understandably, the Blazers weren’t keen to lose any more developing talents following the summer of 2015-16 when LaMarcus Aldridge, Wes Matthew, Nic Batum, Robin Lopez and Arron Afflalo all left town.  Given that situation, GM Neil Olshey chose to extend, re-sign, and match offers given to player who had helped the Blazers reach the second round of the 2016 playoffs.

Additionally, Olshey added two free agents he thought would address issues on depth. Portland currently sports the second highest team salary: $120,139,444.00 (behind only Cleveland).

Realistic or not, expectations both internally and externally are for the squad to surpass last season’s achievements. To date, the team is falling short of meeting that goal, especially since free agents Evan Turner and Festus Ezeli haven’t delivered. In Turner’s case his need to have the ball in his hand doesn’t marry well with utilizing him alongside the starting star backcourt who also are ball dominant players. As for Ezeli, his knee issues continue hampering his ability to even get on the court.

Where Olshey did succeed was in re-upping core players like McCollum, Crabbe, and Harkless who continue to grow within the system and produce for the Blazers.

Here’s the list of movement from the offseason:

Incoming:

Exiting:

Re-upping:

Next: Line-ups

Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) congratulate each other after a 96-88 win over Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Starters:

Oklahoma City Thunder Starters:

Point Guard:  Russell Westbrook – 31.1 points,  10.9 assists, 11.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals
Shooting Guard:  Victor Oladipo– 16.1 points, 2.8 assists,  4.5 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 38.1% 3PFG%
Small Forward:  Andre Roberson – 7.0 points, 1.1 assists,  4.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
Power Forward: Domantas Sabonis – 6.4 points, 1.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 41.4% 3PFG%
Center:  Steven Adams– 11.5 points,  7.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks

Note: if Oladipo can’t go due to the sprained wrist look for Donovan to likely insert  Anthony Morrow. Or perhaps, Donovan will see the wisdom of inserting Alex Abrines to keep the reserve unit in tact. (TI has been clamoring for additional minutes for Abrines, so let’s hope he gets minutes regardless).

Blazers Starting 5:

Point Guard:  Damian Lillard – 27.7 points, 5.7  assists,  4.8 rebounds

Shooting Guard:  CJ McCollum 22.7 points, 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds

Small Forward: Maurice Harkless – 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 36.2% 3PFG%

has been playing in place of injured Al Farouq Aminu

Power Forward:  Al-Farouq Aminu –5.9 points,  6.3 rebounds,  1.8 assists, 1.3 steals

Center:  Mason Plumlee – 10.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.2 blocks

Note: Aminu returned for 3 games ago but was questionable last night with back pain. He did end up playing, but may be questionable tonight based on the same situation. If the Portland staff hold him out expect Meyers Leonard to replace him in the starting line-up.

Benches:

Oklahoma City Thunder Bench:

Guards: Semaj Christon
Wings: Alex Abrines, Kyle Singler, Jerami Grant, Anthony Morrow, Josh Huestis
Bigs: Enes Kanter, Nick Collison, Joffrey Lauvergne

Portland Trail Blazers Bench:

Guards: Shabazz Napier, Evan Turner

Wings: Allen Crabbe,  Pat Connaughton, Tim Quarterman

Bigs: Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis, Noah Vonleh, Jake Layman

Nov 28, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) after slam dunking the ball during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Walking Wounded:

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Blazers:

All injury news as per CBS Sports and rotoworld

Venue:

Moda Center, in Portland, Oregon

Radio and Television Providers:

In Oklahoma City and Area: FS Oklahoma HD, ESPN and CSNNWHD in Portland

Worldwide: NBA League Pass

Radio:  WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP) and Rip City Radio 620 in Portland

Game Time:

9:30 PM CT and 10:30 PM EST

Want your voice heard? Join the Thunderous Intentions team!

Meetings with Blazers scheduled in 2016-17:

History between Teams:

Oklahoma City Thunder hold the advantage 115-108 in the all time meetings between the two teams (obviously this includes the games played while the team was located in Seattle).

The Thunder also hold the advantage since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City 17-15. Last season the teams split their 4 games each beating the other in both occasions on the others home court.

Records:

Thunder: 15-9, first in Northwest Division

Blazers: 12-14, third in Northwest Division,

Betting Line:

Generally odds makers will give the home team anywhere from 2 to 4 points favoritism so the fact the Thunder are favored by a point speaks to them being closer to a 3 to 5 point favorite. The over/under is 214 points.

Referees:

The crew assigned to tonight’s match is Bill Spooner (#22), Matt Boland (#18), and Leon Wood (#40). In addition manning the Secaucus Replay Center will be: Kevin Cutler, John Goble

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Apr 6, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) go after a loose ball during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won the game 120-115. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Limit Blazers backcourt: Damian Lillard, like Westbrook is a star who is driven to succeed. Though he’s yet to master the assist and rebounding prowess of Russ he makes up for it in scoring and moxy. Roberson will likely draw the assignment to shut him down, or at least slow him up.

More from Thunderous Intentions

Oladipo’s status will be the issue, since his absence will require Westbrook to guard McCollum.  Both Lillard and McCollum have the capacity to hit from distance,  drive for easy lay-ups or kick-out dimes to open shooters. Suffice to say these 2 star talents require a detailed defensive scheme to contain.

Attack the Blazers frontcourt:  While Lillard and McCollum require their own defensive package the opposite is true of the frontcourt. This is the greatest issue for Terry Stotts without any reliable players to offer consistent production. Well in truth, now that Aminu is back that may help the situation. Still, the Thunder  Adams, Sabonis, Kanter and Lauvergne they can throw at Portland to take advantage of their depth in this area. OKC are first in the NBA at scoring in the paint, so expect the Blazers bigs to have a long night if the Thunder stay true to form.

Let Westbrook do his thing: Last season Westbrook registered a triple-double vs the Blazers in spectacular fashion getting 11 assists in the first half (the Blazers had 9). Since Portland will be tired having played last night (in a 1-point heartbreaking loss) utilizing Westbrook’s speed early would be wise.  Further, neither Lillard or McCollum are strong defenders, but given Portland’s weakness upfront, Russ would be wise to get his bigs rolling to the basket

Capitalize on strengths: Portland ranks dead last in the Association on the defensive end of the court but are among the league’s top offenses.  Ideally the Thunder should expend their energy to make the Blazers work hard on offense while pushing their own pace offensively. Further the Thunder’s prowess on the boards and via the fast break should work to their advantage again due to the Blazers being fatigued.

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