The Thunder have a pair of stars in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren. Not to be overlooked is Oklahoma City also is the No. 1 defensive team in the NBA. The Thunder give up the fewest points at 94.8, while also ranking first in defensive field goal percentage and 3-point defense.

The Trail Blazers don't have the offense to dent this caliber of defense. Portland ranks 25th in scoring and 27th in field goal percentage.

The key for the Trail Blazers to keep this game semi-close is defense. They have shown signs of doing that ranking eighth defensively during the last four games. Portland has held three of its last four opponents to 105 points or fewer.