The OKC Thunder faces Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers for the first time since the wave goodbye.
In the biggest test that the OKC Thunder has faced this season, they take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Both teams experienced massive adjustments to the roster, the difference being the Blazers kept their core intact and the Thunder appeared to lose so much.
The Thunder, despite holding a 1-3 record have lost two of the three games by five points or less. The biggest loss was by 12 points to the Washington Wizards. They have embraced the defensive identity coach Billy Donovan has bought the team this year.
They are still working out the offense but that will certainly come in time. This is especially true thanks to the play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Shai's game is evolving. (via @okcthunder)pic.twitter.com/GWsyUjU3qf
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 27, 2019
On the other hand, the Blazers’ backcourt is the most potent in the NBA. They have been together for a long time and this season, either Lillard or CJ McCollum is the go-to guy on any given night. What the Blazers have added is rim protection in the form of Hassan Whiteside. The added bonus is he is scoring and rebounding with vigor, which is taking the pressure off the star guards.
The injury bug has already started hitting the Blazers, starting power forward Zach Collins appeared to dislocate his shoulder against the Dallas Mavericks. This will hinder their defense as he is a solid perimeter defender, which is going to help the OKC Thunder. Danilo Gallinari is going to be extremely hard to match up against.
This brings us to the keys of the game.