OKC Thunder: 3 keys to end losing streak in Portland

OKC Thunder key no. 3 – Glass cleaning

Both clubs aren’t exactly feasting on the boards but with the loss of Nurkic and Collins, it represents two big men who typically grab a large portion of the rebounds for the Blazers.

Portland still has Enes Kanter and Carmelo Anthony who are solid rebounders.

Al Horford isn’t listed as being back for his match so this provides an opportunity for youngsters Isaiah Roby and Darius Bazley to have big nights on the glass.

The Blazers rank 19th on the offensive glass, 20th on the defensive glass, and 21st for total rebounds. In contrast, the OKC Thunder ranks 29th, 7th, and 17th respectively. Just as TI noted in the Clippers keys the offensive boards are the main problem. And, again without Nurkic and Collins, it affords every Thunder player an opportunity to crash the glass.

All stats courtesy of basketball reference or NBA Stats.

Game specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 6-9
• Blazers: 9-6

The Venue:  Moda Center, Portland Oregon

Tipoff:  10:00 PM ET  | 9:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Odds:

Injuries:

Thunder:

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• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Al Horford missed the last five games for personal reasons (birth of his daughter) and remains listed on the report as out.

Josh Hall is out addressing health and safety protocols.

Ty Jerome (ankle) – out indefinitely

Trevor Ariza (personal) out indefinitely

Blazers:

• CJ McCollum will be a minimum of four weeks after a fracture to his left foot. The presumed return date being at the end of February.
•  Jusuf Nurkic is out between four to six weeks with a fractured wrist with an early March assumed return date.
• Zach Collins is out indefinitely after another surgery. This time the surgery was to repair a left medial malleolus stress fracture in his ankle. There is no time frame for his return.

History:

The teams have played each other 219 times in regular-season history with the Thunder holding a 118-240 advantage. Last season the clubs played on four occasions with each team winning twice to split the season series.

Enjoy the game and check back tomorrow for grades and three takeaways.