Thunder vs Trail Blazers Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips – NBA 11 November

It’s a quirk of the NBA schedule, but the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Portland Trail Blazers on back-to-back nights at the Moda Center. The first game tips off at 5:00pm NZT on Wednesday 11 November.

OKC arrive on a four-game winning streak despite three starters being out long-term, while Portland have lost two straight. Back-to-back games against the same opponent don’t come up often in NBA betting, and below are my tips for the opener.

Odds from Sportaza, correct at 9:00am NZT, 9 November. Subject to change.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Last 5: L-W-W-W-W · Record: 8-2 · ATS: 7-3

I thought Oklahoma City would struggle more than they have. Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace went down in the 25 October win over the Clippers, and Chet Holmgren was ruled out with a knee injury five days later.

OKC beat Phoenix the next night before losing by 24 in Dallas and 21 in Houston. Four straight wins have followed, with Ajay Mitchell taking more of the scoring next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and their defence held Washington to 75 points.

Portland Trail Blazers

Last 5: W-W-W-L-L · Record: 6-3 · ATS: 5-4

Portland were 6-1 on Friday, but the ball has become a problem for them. They turned it over 18 times against San Antonio on Sunday and went 9-for-35 from three in a 22-point loss. With Ja Morant out, Scoot Henderson has moved into the starting backcourt and Deni Avdija is doing more of the creating. Damian Lillard had seven assists against the Spurs but took just eight shots, and I wouldn’t write Portland off after two losses.

(1) Williams fractured his left fibula against the Clippers on 25 October and needed surgery.
(2) Holmgren has a small patellar tendon tear and is out for eight to 10 weeks.
(3) Wallace had shoulder surgery and won’t be re-evaluated until late in the season.
(4) Williams missed Sunday’s win with low back spasms, so his status could change.
(5) Morant has a grade 2 hamstring strain, though it may be less serious than first feared.
(6) Sharpe is recovering from right meniscus surgery.
(7) Krejci fractured his lower left leg at Phoenix and has no return date.

Of everyone listed, I think Morant affects this bet most, because Portland have far less ball-handling to cope with the Thunder’s pressure without him.

Oklahoma City won last season’s series 3-1, though Portland handed them their first loss of that season in November.

• OKC totals – Seven of Oklahoma City’s 10 games this season have gone under the total.
• Road form – OKC won their last two road games, at Cleveland and Memphis.
• Mitchell’s night – Ajay Mitchell scored 35 on 14-for-20 shooting in Memphis.
• McCain’s scoring – Jared McCain has scored 21 and 19 in OKC’s last two games.

I think Portland can win this if Lillard gets going early. They won at the Lakers in October and were top of the West before their last two games.

Even so, I’m going with Oklahoma City. Their defence forced 18 turnovers in Memphis, and Portland haven’t protected the ball well enough lately to cope with that.

I’m expecting a total in the low 220s, under the 228.5 line. Portland scored just 103 in both home defeats, so their offence isn’t a given here either. If Portland start slowly again, the Thunder Line should shorten in-play on the best live betting sites.

My prediction: Thunder 115-107.

Thunder -3.5 Line – $1.91

Both of Portland’s home losses this season have come by more than 20 points, against Memphis and San Antonio.

Sportaza is one of the betting sites NZ punters can use for NBA Lines, and it has the Thunder -3.5 at $1.91. That said, I wouldn’t take this past -5.5. Portland have also beaten Phoenix by 41 on this floor, so a big Thunder win isn’t guaranteed.

Play to: $1.80

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