The 8-2 Thunder bring the league’s stronger defensive profile into a test against Portland’s high-scoring offense.
Tuesday’s matchup puts 8-2 Oklahoma City, ranked No. 7 in the power index, against 6-3 Portland, ranked No. 12, with the Blazers looking to improve on their 1-2 home record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 299 points through 10 games, while Deni Avdija leads Portland with 201 in nine. Portland averages 119.3 points and allows 113.8; Oklahoma City scores 112.2 and gives up just 104.2. The deciding question is whether Portland can keep its offense near that 119.3 average against the Thunder’s stingy defense.