The Oklahoma City Thunder (8-0) and Portland Trail Blazers (4-3) meet Wednesday. Tip-off from Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, is set for 10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Thunder vs. Trail Blazers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Oklahoma City won 4-0
Oklahoma City routed the LA Clippers 126-107 Tuesday, covering as an 8.5-point favorite with the Over (220) cashing. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 30 points and 12 assists on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, while the Thunder as a team shot 52.3% from the floor and 47.4% from deep. OKC had 11 turnovers compared to the Clippers’ 19, helping it outscore LA 28-6 in fast-break points.
Portland suffered a 123-115 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Monday, failing to cover as a 9.5-point favorite with the Over (228) hitting. The Lakers were missing their 3 leading scorers from last season; however, they still shot 58.8% from the field while recording fewer turnovers and more rebounds. F Deni Avdija and G Shaedon Sharpe combined for 56 points, and F Jerami Grant added 18 off the bench.
Thunder at Trail Blazers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:55 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Thunder -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Trail Blazers +165 (bet $100 to win $165)Against the spread (ATS): Thunder -4.5 (-110) | Trail Blazers +4.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)Thunder at Trail Blazers key injuries
Thunder
(Not yet submitted — below was for Tuesday’s game)
F Jalen Williams (wrist) outF Kenrich Williams (knee) out
Trail Blazers
G Scoot Henderson (hamstring) outG Damian Lillard (Achilles) outG Shaedon Sharpe (calf) probableF Matisse Thybulle (thumb) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Thunder at Trail Blazers picks and predictionsPrediction
Thunder 111, Trail Blazers 108
PASS.
OKC is the much better team and should have no real problem winning as a -200 favorite. However, this win streak has to end at some point, and no team favored this heavily is worth the risk of betting on. Pass here and bet the spread and/or total instead.
LEAN TRAIL BLAZERS +4.5 (-110).
Portland has a strong defense, with a defensive rating of 111.7, ranking in the top 10 in the NBA. What really stands out, however, is its ability to force turnovers — the Blazers force over 20 per game, the best in the league. Granted, OKC has the lowest turnover percentage in the NBA (11.7%), but missing key ball-handlers and playmakers against this talented Portland defense could spell a disastrous night for the Thunder.
This is a very slight lean because Oklahoma City is the better team in every category. This matchup will likely end 1 of 2 ways: Portland succeeds in forcing turnovers and keeps it close, or it fails to create any and loses by 30.
BET UNDER 229.5 (-105).
Both teams pride themselves on defense, with each boasting a top-10 defensive rating and ranking in the top 3 for turnovers forced per game. On offense, Portland is mediocre, while OKC relies heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander to generate nearly everything. Additionally, both teams will be missing key players, and OKC is on the back end of a back-to-back, all factors that make the Over more likely.
Be aware that, because I expect Portland to generate significant offense through turnovers, there is a solid chance the Over hits here.
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