Portland Trail Blazers (10-25) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-11)
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 1/11/24 – In an intriguing NBA showdown on Thursday, the struggling Portland Trail Blazers, holding a 10-25 record, face off against the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder, who have an impressive 24-11 standing. This game, taking place at Paycom Center at 8:00 PM ET, is crucial for both teams, with the Blazers looking to improve their record and the Thunder aiming to solidify their strong position. Fans and bettors alike are keen on today’s basketball tips today, particularly with this matchup that contrasts a team in rebuilding mode against a top-tier contender.
The Trail Blazers have encountered difficulties this season, which have shown in their stats. Averaging 109 points per game with 43.7% field goal and 35.9% 3-point field goal percentages respectively; their offensive output has been relatively mediocre and their defensive play needs improvement with 8.3 steals and 4.5 blocks per game but turnovers (14.5 per game) and fouls (20.7 per game being major issues; their key to success lies in optimizing their offensive efficiency while tightening up their defensive strategies.
Oklahoma City Thunder have been impressive this season. Averaging an incredible 121.8 points per game on average with 50.2% field goal and 39.4% 3-point field goal percentages and 9-5 road games against the spread record shows their consistency on defense and offense alike, boasting 8.3 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while also recording 11.6 turnovers and 20.4 fouls per game respectively – they present formidable opponents for Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 1/11/24 Game Info
| When: | Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Paycom Center |
| TV: | BSOK |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Anfernee Simons (SG) vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG)
Anfernee Simons of the Trail Blazers has proven his worth this season. Over 14 games, he’s averaged 25.5 points and 5.4 assists per game to demonstrate his offensive prowess; his rebounding (3.4 per game) and defense (0.7 steals per game) could use some improvement, however. Simons will play an essential role for Blazers this season by creating scoring opportunities and facilitating plays.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder is having an exceptional year, averaging 31.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game for their success. Defensively he contributes two-way threat with 2.4 steals per game and his higher turnover rate (1.9) being offset by his overall impact on games – something which will prove key against Portland Blazers this time around.
Simons and Gilgeous-Alexander face-off on the court will be an exciting battle of offensive prowess, both playing pivotal roles for their respective teams’ scoring efforts; thus, this matchup could well determine its outcome.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds, to be determined, will be a significant indicator of how the game is expected to unfold. Insights based on these odds will guide bettors in making informed decisions.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Trends
The Blazers have had a mixed performance recently, going 2-3 in their last 5 games and against the spread. Their ability to score in high totals, as seen in 3 of their last 5 games going OVER, suggests their games tend to be high-scoring.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends
The Thunder are 3-2 in their last 5 games and against the spread, showing consistency in their gameplay. Their scoring ability is reflected in the totals going OVER in 3 of their last 5 games, indicating their games also tend to be on the higher-scoring side.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 1/11/24 Betting Picks
Considering the teams’ performances and stats, the Thunder appear to have the upper hand in this matchup. Their offensive and defensive consistency gives them an edge over the Trail Blazers. However, Portland’s ability to exceed expectations, especially in high-scoring games, should not be overlooked.
In terms of betting, the Thunder might be the safer pick, but the Blazers could offer value, especially in an over/under scenario. When considering premium tips and predictions, look at the individual matchups and current form to make the best betting decisions.
Free Pick and Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder 118, Portland Trail Blazers 105.