The push to the postseason is on in the NBA where the playoff picture has suddenly become a lot more interesting in recent weeks. Thursday presents us with some intriguing matchups involving four playoff teams, two of which were off last night and two of which will be in a back-to-back situation after winning in overtime contests on Wednesday.
No team has been hotter over the past couple of weeks than the eighth-place Oklahoma City Thunder, who have now won nine of their last 11 games. They will look to continue their climb when they visit the injury-riddled Chicago Bulls in the early game. In the late game of the TNT double-header, we could very well see a first-round playoff series preview as the
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Chicago Bulls
NBA Odds: Bulls (-4)
It’s almost unbelievable that the Thunder have been through as many injury issues as they have this season. Russell Westbrook is back in the lineup but playing with a mask after he suffered facial fractures to his right cheek earlier in the week. The 26-year-old Westbrook has played at an MVP level this season averaging 26.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists. Wednesday, he became the first player since Michael Jordan (1988) to post four straight triple-doubles. But he needs to be healthy in order for Oklahoma City to have a shot at doing anything come playoff time. Meanwhile, his partner in crime, Kevin Durant is progressing well and could be back soon but he’s not expected to play on Thursday night.
The Bulls won’t have any sympathy when it comes to injuries as they continue to navigate their way to the postseason without both Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and now Taj Gibson. Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah led the way for Chicago in an impressive win over the struggling Washington Wizards on Tuesday night and they are 7-3 over their past 10 games, so it isn’t as though they have completely buckled without Rose. And the Thunder didn’t show well on Wednesday night, needing overtime at home to outlast the lousy Philadelphia 76ers 123-118. Fatigue could be a factor given how much energy they had to expend crawling back in that game and then surviving overtime.
However, the Thunder are playing at a very high level right now and Westbrook will be the best player on the floor. That should be the difference in this one as he’s a game-changer; the Bulls don’t have anyone like that right now. Pick: Oklahoma City
Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trail Blazers
NBA Odds: Portland (-3)
The Mavericks have struggled against the top teams from the Western Conference all season and it certainly isn’t about to get any easier for them when they make the trip to Portland Thursday. It’s going to be a grueling couple of days as the Mavs will face the Golden State Warriors the following night. Dallas has struggled to maintain its position in the West and now they face a crucial two-game stretch that will tell a lot about the character of this team.
Speaking of character, Rajon Rondo has just two double-digit assist games for the Mavericks and he is shooting just 28-percent from the line since he was traded. Those aren’t elite numbers by any means and if he continues to struggle then teams like the Blazers will be right there looking to pounce. Portland has been hot of late with Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge finding their rhythm together after the latter missed some time. The Blazers have won four straight and 10 of their last 13. One thing the Mavs might have going for them is rest. The Blazers played on Thursday night, possibly over-extending themselves with a 98-93 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Mavs are just 4-8 against the spread in their last 12 against winning teams. And considering the Blazers 25-6 record at home this season, they should be able to find a way to secure a win as they continue to push the Houston Rockets for third in the Western Conference standings. Pick: Portland
