Thunder vs Trail Blazers 11/1/24 Game Information

Thunder vs Trail Blazers Preview

The undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) will be a team to watch this 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, and on Friday, they head to Rose City to face the Portland Trail Blazers (2-4 SU, 3-1-1 ATS) in a Western Conference matchup at the Moda Center. The Thunder have been blowing opponents out to start the season, winning by 15, 19, 24, and 12 with three different players leading the team in scoring in those games. The Trail Blazers are coming off a 106-105 upset win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night where Anfernee Simons had 25 points on the road in Lipstick City. So can Portland possibly make it two upsets in a row? Let’s take a look at the trends and past meetings between these two and weigh the double-digit point spread and make a Thunder vs Trail Blazers prediction and pick. 

Oklahoma City Looks to Continue its Dominance

The Thunder (52-39-1 ATS in 2023-24) are a team to keep your eyes on as Oklahoma City slowly matures around its two young superstars PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 6.0 apg) and PF Chet Holmgren (22.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg). Supporting this dynamic duo are F Jalen Williams (17.0 ppg) and SG Lu Grant (12.0 ppg) who is turning into a consistent threat from behind the three-point line. Besides the nice start, it’s important to note here how dominant the Thunder have been against the Trail Blazers both SU and ATS. In four meetings last year, although they went just 2-2 vs the betting number, OKC won by 43, 62, 2, and 8 points. When you beat a team by 62 points (139-77) it’s hard not to think you could name your score when you play them. Here are some betting trends that support backing the visitors in the game on Friday night.

Thunder Betting Trends

• Oklahoma City has beaten Portland 12 straight times SU
• The Thunder’s lowest point total in those 12 wins was 96 points
• OKC has gone 6-3-1 ATS in the last 10 series meetings
• Thunder First Half Unders are 24-13 the last 37 games
• Oklahoma City is 52-39 ATS in its last 91 games
• The Thunder have held the lead at Halftime in 13 of their last 17 games

A Tough Matchup For Trail Blazers Friday at Home

The Trail Blazers (39-41-2 ATS in 2023-24) are just 1-2 at Home, and as you can see, were pistol-whipped by the Thunder last year, losing by an average of 28.8 ppg in the four losses. Portland does have some good young players on its roster, including the aforementioned SG Anfernee Simons (20.6 ppg), SF Jerami Grant (18.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg), G Scoot Henderson (15.6 ppg), and C Deandre Ayton (14.4 ppg, 12.2 rpg). The Trail Blazers will come in with a -5.6 ppg differential (107.2 PF-112.8 PA) while the Thunder have outscored opponents by an average of +17.5 ppg (112.3 PF-94.8 PA). Oklahoma City has allowed the lowest ppg so far this season, so the onus will be on the hosts to score points, but even if they reach the century mark, it might not be enough against this Thunder squad which scored 134, 139, 111, and 128 against Portland last season.

Trail Blazers Betting Trends

• The Trail Blazers are 25-55 on the First Quarter Moneyline the last 80
• Portland is 2-0 ATS vs Oklahoma City in the last two series meetings
• The Trail Blazers are just 8-31 SU in their last 39 games
• Portland Fourth Quarter Unders are 51-32 the last 83 dribbles
• Trail Blazers First Quarter Unders are 51-26 over the last 77 games
• Portland head Coach Chauncey Billups is 0-12 SU vs the Thunder

SGA, Thunder to Clap Loud on the Trail Blazers? 

The point spread here is spot on, as despite the two blowouts last season, Portland also played the Thunder close the last two meetings, so this one could be a 2- or a 20-point Oklahoma City win, depending on how much the visitors care. But four things really stick out in this free NBA pick: 1—Oklahoma CIty has had the Blazers number, beating them 12 consecutive times; 2—The Thunder have the best defense in the NBA so far and the second-best Point Differential; 3—OKC is unbeaten and won’t want to lose to an average tem, and being so early on in the new season, expect them to be focused; 4—The Thunder will have the two best players in this game in SGA and Holmgren. Expecting Portland to suddenly play great defense and dominate in this spot is a bit of a stretch, so I see a 15- to 20-point win by the red-hot visitors. Good luck. My bed is calling me.

Kevin’s Pick: Thunder -11