Predicting the Thunder’s Final Four Games of the Season

Feb 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after falling to the court against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

April 13th, vs Portland Trail Blazers

Projection: Loss (110-105)

The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the only playoff team remaining on their schedule in the Blazers. Portland is currently 51-27 on the season, which is good enough for fourth in the Western Conference.

The Trail Blazers have owned the Thunder this season, beating them in all three previous matchups.

The Blazers will be without Wesley Matthews this time after he suffered a torn Achilles last month – other than that, the team should be at full strength.

Without Ibaka to guard LaMarcus Aldridge in the post, Aldridge should have a huge game against the injured front line of OKC. If the Thunder are going to have a chance in this one, Westbrook will have to play one of his best games this season. This shouldn’t be considered an impossibility as he’s averaging 39.3 PPG, 7.6 APG, and 8.6 RPG against the Blazers this season. 

The image above is the last thing we remember from the Thunder’s last game against the Blazers, with Westbrook getting kneed in the face by his own teammate and having a quarter sized dent/hole in the side of his face. The games between these two teams have been close all season and very physical. With a chance at the playoffs on the line for the Thunder it will surely be even more intense.

This game will probably be a loss for the Thunder unless the team can play a nearly perfect game.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves