While all eyes will be on the NFL’s conference championship games on Sunday, one NBA game is being played between the Oklahoma City Thunder (36-8) and the Portland Trail Blazers (17-28). After losing at home to the Mavericks on Thursday, the Thunder seek a bounce-back win over a Blazers team that has surprisingly won four straight games. Can Portland continue that momentum on Sunday? Or will OKC earn a dominant victory? Let’s dive into the matchup and find out.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds
Preview: Oklahoma City Thunders vs Portland Trail Blazers, 6:00 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | -14 (-110) | -900 | O 226 (-110) |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +14 (-110) | +610 | U 226 (-110) |
Odds as of January 26, 2025 at Sportsbook
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Pick
Portland Trail Blazers Under 105.5 Points (-102 FanDuel)
The Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as one of the most dominant defensive outfits in NBA history. They rank first with a defensive rating of 103.7 - the next-closest team sits at 107.2. Part of what makes the Thunder so great defensively is they allow just 12.1 fast break points per game, the fewest in the NBA. They force opposing offenses to operate in the half-court against their loaded defensive lineup.
If there has been one weakness for the Thunder lately, it’s been in the frontcourt, with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein both sidelined. However, Hartenstein will return from a calf injury today, providing a stabilizing presence with his rim protection and defensive rebounding.
Anfernee Simons (18.5 ppg) and Shaedon Sharpe (17.5 ppg) are the leading scorers for Portland, but the Thunder might be the worst matchup for scoring guards in the NBA. While Luguentz Dort is sidelined, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace are elite perimeter defenders, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s excellent defense flies under the radar with his dominant scoring.
While the Blazers have won four straight games, it hasn’t exactly come on the back of an elite offensive attack - they have scored 101 and 102 points in their last two wins. Portland has also scored less than 105 points in five of its last eight games and 13 of its previous 15 games against top-ten teams in defensive rating. Expect those trends to continue against OKC’s lights-out defense on Sunday.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Prop
Donovan Clingan Under 7.5 Points -120
The Trail Blazers’ rookie center is coming off some standout performances, with double-digit rebounds in four straight games. However, his scoring has been inconsistent at best this season, and he’s finished with less than 7.5 points in 24 of 32 games this season (75%). With Robert Williams III returning to the lineup, Clingan’s minutes should stay in check here. With Hartenstein back, the Thunder have a suffocating interior defense that allows the fewest points per game in the paint.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Trends
- The Thunder are 11-6-2 ATS as a road favorite this season
- The Blazers are 10-8 ATS as a home underdog this season
- The Blazers have scored less than 105 points in five of their last eight games
