Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Blazers Game 1 Game Picks 4/14/2019

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder head to Moda Center to take on the Portland Blazers on Sunday in Game 1 of their 1st round series. The opening line for this game has Portland as 3 point favorites.

The Thunder head into this matchup with a mark of 49-33. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 3.4 as they average 114.5 points per contest while giving up 111.1 per game. The Blazers have an overall record of 53-29 this season. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They average 114.7 points per game and surrender 110.5, good for a point differential of 4.2.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 42-40-0 against the spread this season

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 39-41-0 against the over/under this year

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 45-37-0 against the spread this season

The Portland Blazers are 43-38-0 against the over/under this year

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

10/04/18 G Andre Roberson Knee is out indefinitely
04/11/19 SF Paul George Shoulder is probable Sunday vs Portland

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

03/26/19 C Jusuf Nurkic Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Paul George comes into this game averaging 28.0 points per contest while playing 36.9 minutes per night this year. He grabs 8.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 84%. Russell Westbrook averages 22.9 points per contest in 36.0 minutes per game. He averages 10.7 assists per game and 11.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% for the season while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum scores 21.0 points per contest while playing 33.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.0 rebounds per contest and has 3.0 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Damian Lillard averages 25.8 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 35.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.6 rebounds per game and has 6.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 114.5 points per contest, which is 7th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 19th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 23rd in the NBA. They average 48.1 boards per contest and 23.4 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 17th with 14.0 per game. The Thunder allow 111.1 points per contest, which is 15th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 16th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.7 rebounds a game which ranks 18th, and they allow 24.9 assists per game which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 16.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 6th in the NBA with 114.7 points per contest this season. They are 12th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 4.2. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 9th in the league. They are 3rd in the NBA in rebounding with 48.0 boards per contest and 25th in assists per game with 23.0. The Blazers are 20th in turnovers per contest with 13.8. The Blazers give up 110.5 points per game, which ranks them 14th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 13th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 23.2 dimes allowed per game and 3rd with 42.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Blazers are 2nd in the league in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.3, and their defensive rating of 107 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league. Oklahoma City is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 14th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 20th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 19th in the league. The Blazers are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.7, and their defensive rating of 110.5 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 18th in the league with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 13th. As a team they are 9th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Thunder/Blazers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City +3

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald