Feb 5, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Schedule: vs. Denver Nuggets (Feb 22); vs. Indiana Pacers (Feb 24); at Phoenix Suns (Feb 26); at Portland Trail Blazers (Feb. 27)
The Thunder close out February with five games in seven nights, but fortunately, only three of those are against teams over .500.
Oklahoma City should beat both the Nuggets and Pacers at home without much problem. And they will need to, because they end the month with an very difficult back-to-back against the Suns and Blazers.
OKC should treat the game against Phoenix like a crucial, series changing playoff game. Because that is exactly what it could be, because it would clinch the season series for the Thunder (meaning they would win any tie-breaker with Phoenix). If my predictions hold true, the Thunder will be riding a 10 game winning streak, meaning they could be neck-and-neck with the Suns. Both teams will rise to the occasion, but the Thunder are just a more talented basketball team, and I expect that to prevail.
Just one night later, the Trail Blazers will be waiting to play the Thunder to finish their three-game home stand. With Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge leading the way for Portland, OKC will have a difficult time winning the second of the back-to-back.
Prediction: 3-1
Next: Recap