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Blazers visit Oklahoma City Thunder for Sunday matinee

By Darian Hutchins

Dec 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) can
Dec 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) can /
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Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Following their most difficult month of the 2016-17 NBA regular season schedule, the Oklahoma City Thunder (29-22) continue in their quest to find balance and consistency against the Portland Trail Blazers (22-29).

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Blazers in what will be the second of eight home games in the month of February after spending the majority of January on the road. As has been the main story line of this 2016-17 Thunder campaign, with a lack of shooting and an underwhelming supporting cast, Russell Westbrook will need to lift OKC over Portland. The Blazers are fighting for their playoff lives, one game behind the Denver Nuggets in the loss column for the eight seed.

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Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) congratulate each other after a 96-88 win over Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) congratulate each other after a 96-88 win over Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma City Thunder backcourt vs. the Portland Trail Blazers backcourt:

The Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo duo must do most of the heavy lifting on offense while defending a dynamic Portland backcourt comprised of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Thunder coach Billy Donovan will throw Andre Roberson at both Lillard and McCollum throughout the contest in an attempt to slow them down.

The real problem for OKC will be the minutes Westbrook is not on the court while either Lillard or McCollum remain out there. Oladipo will have to lead the second unit during portions of the game in which Westbrook is getting a breather on the bench. Cam Payne and possibly Semaj Christon will need to keep OKC afloat.

This will be the second meeting this season between OKC and Portland, and the first in Oklahoma City. The first match-up was a 114-95 Thunder loss at the Moda Center in Portland on December 13, 2016.

Related story: What to expect when Cameron Payne returns

May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and guard Cameron Payne (left) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and guard Cameron Payne (left) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Keys for Success

Let Russ Be Russ:

Russell Westbrook is setting the NBA on fire, averaging a triple double (30.8 pts, 10.5 reb, 10.3 ast) and a total of 25 triple doubles on the season. If it weren’t for him, the Oklahoma City Thunder would be in total disaster mode.

The Thunder have got to continue to let Westbrook drag them as far as possible, until Sam Presti can find a way to improve the roster and reshape it to fit the many talents that Westbrook puts on display night in and night out.

Apr 6, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) go after a loose ball during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won the game 120-115. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) go after a loose ball during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won the game 120-115. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

The Void Left By Enes:

After losing a fight with a chair, Enes Kanter, the Thunder’s best bench player and the leader of the second unit, has been out with a broken forearm.

The Thunder bench will have to collectively provide the support Westbrook needs. Joffrey Lauvergne recently played 29 minutes in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies and added 16 points on 6-7 shooting and 8 rebounds.

If Donovan can get this kind of production from Lauvergne and a few others, the team may be able to keep their heads above water for the foreseeable future.

Rotations:

Likely starters for the Oklahoma City Thunder:

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook

Shooting Guard:  Victor Oladipo

Small Forward:  Andre Roberson

Power Forward: Domantas Sabonis

Center: Steven Adams

Oklahoma City Thunder bench:

Guards: Cameron Payne, Semaj Christon, Alex Abrines (questionable with a back injury), Anthony Morrow

Forwards: Jerami Grant, Kyle Singler, Nick Collison

Centers: Joffrey Lauvergne, Enes Kanter (out with a forearm injury)

Must read: Five Shooters the Thunder Should Target

Likely starters for the Portland Trail Blazers:

Point Guard: Damian Lillard

More from Thunderous Intentions

Shooting Guard:  CJ McCollum

Small Forward:  Evan Turner

Power Forward: Noah Vonleh

Center: Mason Plumlee

Portland Trail Blazers bench:

Guards: Shabazz Napier, Allen Crabbe, Pat Connaughton

Forwards: Meyers Leonard, Maurice Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu, Ed Davis

The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Tip-Off: 2:00 PM CT, 3:00 PM EST

TV: FS Oklahoma, CSNNW

RADIO: WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP) / RIP CITY RADIO 620

Darian Hutchins (@DarianHutchins) offers his NBA analysis for FanSided’s Thunderous Intentions. Follow him on Twitter for more Thunder insight.

Visit Thunderous Intentions after the game for post match analysis, and offer your opinion of the game in the comments section.

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