OKC Thunder back to work tonight hosting the Portland Trailblazers at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Thunder come in with a five game win streak and winners of nine of their last eleven games. OKC is the No. 3 seed in the West with an overall mark of 16-8 and 11-3 at home this season.
Thunder have improved on paper defensively of late, but keep one thing in mind, OKC played three games last week against low octane NBA offenses in the Utah Jazz twice and the Memphis Grizzlies once. But it does appear OKC is improving defensively–the question remains is how much have the Thunder really improved on that end of the floor when they play elite teams.
Kevin Durant to no one’s surprise won the Western Conference Player of the Week for the second straight week. Durant has been on a run of late and has been the key to OKC’s improved overall improved play. No big discovery there.
Portland comes in tonight off a Monday night 105-101 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Trailblazers are 11-15 overall and 5-9 on the road. A much different looking Portland team as four starters are gone from a year ago in LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez, and Nicholas Batum.
Clearly a new look Portland team which features the dynamic backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. A younger Portland team with Al-Farouq Aminu, Mason Plumlee, Meyers Leonard, Chris Kaman, Ed Davis, Allen Crabbe, Mo Harkless, Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonlee all seeing rotational minutes. Portland is ably coached by former OU player Terry Stotts.
No one sees this Portland team as a viable playoff contender, but they are a dangerous team if taken for granted and you allow their backcourt to have a big night. OKC’s perimeter defense should get a test in this game from Lillard and McCollum.
OKC needs to lockdown at home and get this win before heading off to Cleveland for tomorrow night’s TNT game against Lebron and the Cavs.