Game Tonight: OKC Thunder vs Blazers odds, injury update, prediction for Dec. 19th

The OKC Thunder begins week 10 with a baseball set versus the Portland Trail Blazers. At the season start most of these sets were resulting in split decisions as teams would adjust from the prior game.

But recently, there has been an uptick of teams sweeping these series — see the Pelicans versus the Suns and Magic versus both the Raptors and Celtics.

Part of the reason for the shift is tied to injuries and the OKC Thunder will be on the negative side of that equation. Another reason is the clubs with winning records whether it’s conscious or subconscious believe they should beat the lower-tier (and tanking) clubs.

Entering this match the Thunder are coming off a huge win versus the top Western seeded Grizzlies while the (17-13) Blazers arrive following a 107-95 victory versus the Rockets. Portland has won six of their last eight matches.

Granted those wins primarily occurred versus lower-tier or tanking teams (Rockets, Wolves x2, Spurs, Pacers, Jazz). And while there’s an argument the Pacers and Jazz are part of the middle parity pack they’ve both been leveling off.

OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the last game and isn’t expected in this match as he nurses a back contusion so unfortunately, the Paycom Center won’t get the Dame-SGA matchup.

Thunderous Intentions dives into the specifics.

• Scroll down for our Thunder – Blazers Game Details

OKC Thunder vs Blazers Odds, Spread, Over/Under

Not surprisingly the top-seeded Blazers are seven-point favorites. The over/under is 228 points while the moneyline tags the OKC Thunder at plus +138  and the Blazers at minus -148

Some other betting notables:

• The OKC Thunder are  7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
• The Blazers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games.
• The OKC Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games at home.
• The Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against OKC.
• The OKC Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Monday.
• The Blazers are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games on the road.
• The OKC Thunder are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games.
• The Blazers are 1-4 straight-up in their last 5 games against Oklahoma City.
• The total has gone under in 4 of OKC’s last 5 games played in December.
• The total has gone under in 5 of Portland’s last 6 games when playing in OKC
• The total has gone under in 6 of Oklahoma City’s last 7 games.
• The total has gone over in 5 of Portland’s last 6 games.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Injury Report

A plethora of OKC Thunder are out on Monday including star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (back) and Josh Giddey (illness).

In addition, Darius Bazley (illness) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle) are out.

Ousmane Dieng suffered a non-displaced fracture of his wrist and will be out indefinitely. Chet Holmgren (foot) is out for the season.

Tre Mann and Jaylin Williams remain on G League assignment.

Jusuf Nurkic (calf) and Josh Hart (ankle) are dealing with injuries but upgraded to probable for Monday. Conversely, former Thunder player Jerami Grant won’t play Monday as he deals with a back issue.

Two players downgraded to being out are Gary Payton II as he continues to ramp up his conditioning and Nassir Little dealing with a hip injury.

*based on official NBA injury report as of 6:30 AM EST

OKC Thunder vs. Blazers key matchup and prediction

Although the undermanned Thunder pulled off the victory versus the Grizzlies, that was helped by the ejection of Ja Morant.

Against the Blazers they have a bevy of guards including another Canadian (Shaedon Sharpe) who is fitting in well with Dame and Anfernee Simons.

As for the main stat categories the Blazers possess the sixth-ranked perimeter efficiency (37.6%) while scoring 109.7 points per game (22nd) and shooting 46.6% from the field which ranks 18th.

Chauncey Billups was keen to improve the defensive effort and this season the team is making strides. They hold opponents to 110.3 points per game which ranks ninth overall. In terms of opponent shooting efficiency, they rank 15th in both field goal percentage (47.0%) and perimeter efficiency (35.7%).

Ultimately, expecting to win games without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Josh Giddey is a tall task so hopefully one or both return for the second game (Wednesday) of the baseball set.

Although the point spread is a bit rich I’m leaning toward the Blazers covering since the Thunder are missing so many core players.

That said, this could be a big night for Jalen Williams who won’t have to deal with the Blazers’ main defenders (Jerami Grant, Gary Payton II). So any prop bets on Williams are worth a look.

What channel is the Thunder-Blazers game on?

Per usual the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Oklahoma or NBA League Pass. Tip-Off is set for 8:00 p.m. EST (7:00 CT) from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

OKC Thunder vs. Blazers Live Stream

If you need a live stream of the event, check out FuboTV for a free trial!

Thunder Next Game and Schedule

The OKC Thunder continue the home stand this week with and the second game of the baseball set versus the Blazers on Wednesday and will close the week against the Pelicans on Friday.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.