The Oklahoma City Thunder (44-30) will attempt to prolong their five-game home winning streak when they go head-to-head with the Portland Trail Blazers (44-28), who have won their last five road games. The game will air on Fox SportsNet Oklahoma at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 25, 2018.
Oklahoma City is a 3-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 214.5 points.
Portland Trail Blazers at Oklahoma City Thunder Free Prediction
The last time the Trail Blazers played, they were beaten by the Boston Celtics, 105-100. Boston made good use of their 26 trips to the free throw line, converting on 24 of them (92.3 percent). Portland, meanwhile, was 12-15 (80.0 percent). CJ McCollum led Portland in scoring with 26 points on 12-for-22 shooting.
The Thunder were victorious over the Miami Heat in their last matchup, 105-99. The Thunder held the Heat to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.0 (below the 22.6 mark opponents have averaged against Oklahoma City this season) and had a free throw rate of 0.298 (above their season average of 0.190). Russell Westbrook was the game’s leading scorer with 29 points on 9-for-15 shooting.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the NBA’s top rebounding teams go head-to-head. The Thunder rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (27.7 percent), while Portland ranks fifth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.3 percent).
Portland holds records of 44-28 straight up (SU) and 39-26-7 against the spread (ATS). Of the Trail Blazers’ 72 games, 40 have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is 44-30 SU and 30-42-2 ATS. Thunder games also have a slight tendency to finish under the O/U total (54.1 percent).
Al-Farouq Aminu has averaged 12.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Portland.
The Trail Blazers have emerged victorious in all three contests against the Thunder this year, including an eight-point victory the last time these teams met. Portland covered as a 5-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 208 points, which was 7.5 points below the projected point total of 215.5 points. The Trail Blazers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.1 vs. 21.4) and had a better free throw rate (0.216 vs. 0.154). McCollum had a stellar game, with 28 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Portland Trail Blazers at Oklahoma City Thunder Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Portland is 19-12-3 ATS with 20 unders and 14 overs.
Oklahoma City is 15-20-2 ATS at home with 21 unders and 16 overs.
Oklahoma City is 21-5 when they allow under 100 points, while Portland is 23-5.
The Thunder are 40-15 when they reach 100 points, while the Trail Blazers are 39-15.
Oklahoma City ranks first in points off turnovers per game (18.7) while Portland ranks last (14.2).
The Thunder rank first in steals per game (8.9) while the Trail Blazers rank 28th (6.8).
Oklahoma City ranks fourth in fast break points per game (14.9) while Portland ranks last (7.9).
The Thunder rank seventh in blocks per game (5.2) while the Trail Blazers rank 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
Portland ranks second in assists allowed per game (20.2) while Oklahoma City ranks 15th (23.3).
The Thunder rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.8) while the Trail Blazers rank 14th (42.6).
Oklahoma City ranks first in second chance points per game (15.1) while Portland ranks ninth (13.3).
The Trail Blazers rank 20th in three pointers attempted per game (27.7) while the Thunder rank 24th in three pointers allowed per game (30.6).
Portland ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.8) while Oklahoma City ranks eighth (43.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Portland is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Oklahoma City is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.0, up from 2.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 115.2 points per game (7.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.8 points per game (4.8 above their season average).
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