The Oklahoma City Thunder (39-25), 3.5-point underdogs, will be at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter to square off with the Portland Trail Blazers (39-25) in a Northwest Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 234 points and action begins at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 7, 2019.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers ATS Odds
Both teams lost as favorites in their last outing. The Trail Blazers (5.5-point favorites) were defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies, 120-111, while the Thunder (2-point favorites) fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 131-120. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Portland game went 15.5 points over the projected point total of 215.5, while the Oklahoma City game went 14.5 points over the projected point total of 236.5.
Oklahoma City had a better offensive rebounding percentage (26.3 vs. 25.0) while Portland held Memphis to an offensive rebounding percentage of 11.4 (below their season average of 19.1). Portland’s CJ McCollum played well, contributing 27 points. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook fueled Oklahoma City with 38 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
In their three contests this year, the Thunder have won all three. The two teams combined to score 231 points in their most recent game, which was just under the projected point total of 232. Oklahoma City won 120-111, covering as a 5-point favorite. Oklahoma City’s 0.570 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Portland, who had a mark of 0.477. Paul George put up a triple-double in the victory, with 47 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Games featuring the Thunder have no tendency in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Oklahoma City comes into the game with records of 39-25 straight up (SU) and 33-31 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Oklahoma City, games featuring the Trail Blazers have a slight tendency to go over the O/U total (53.1 percent). Further, Portland owns records of 39-25 SU and 37-27 ATS.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of Portland. Portland ranks 16th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 13.2 percent), while the gambling defense of Oklahoma City forces the most turnovers in the NBA (15.6 percent).
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Thunder rank 12th in blocks per game (5.2) while the Trail Blazers rank 19th in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
- Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (9.9) while Portland ranks 25th (6.8).
- The Thunder rank fourth in fast break points per game (18.5) while the Trail Blazers rank 23rd (11.2).
- Portland ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (23.2) while Oklahoma City ranks 19th (25.2).
- Oklahoma City averages 14.9 second chance points per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Portland ranks 16th in second chance points allowed per game (13.3).
- The Thunder rank first in points off turnovers per game (20.2) while the Trail Blazers rank 23rd (15.3).
- The Thunder rank fifth in points in the paint per game (52.5) while the Trail Blazers rank 18th (48.4).
- Portland ranks second in rebounds allowed per game (42.9) while Oklahoma City ranks 23rd (45.7).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Oklahoma City is 8-0 and Portland is 10-1.
- When scoring more than 100 points, the Thunder are 36-19 and the Trail Blazers are 37-20.
- Portland is 21-11 ATS at home, while Oklahoma City is 17-16 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 19 of the Thunder’s 33 road games, while 17 of the Trail Blazers’ 32 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Trail Blazers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Thunder are 0-5.
- In their last five games, Portland has 4 overs and 1 under, while Oklahoma City has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 113.2 points per game (0.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.8 points per game (0.4 below their season average).
- The Thunder have been outscored by an average of 6.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Oklahoma City has defeated opponents by an average of 4.1 points.
