The Portland Trail Blazers were able to hold off the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their series, but it was close throughout. Portland will look to move to 2-0 in this series, but the Thunder want to steal a game on the road before heading back home. This is likely to be the most entertaining first-round series, and this should be another great game.
Portland had lost 10 straight postseason games dating back to 2016 before winning the series opener. The Trail Blazers finished the regular season with a record of 53-29 and earned the number three seed in the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City won their final five regular-season games to secure the 6th seed in the West. The Thunder finished the regular season with a record of 49-33. Portland is a -2.0 point favorite over OKC in game two of the series.
Kanter Dominant For Blazers
Portland is without starting center Nusuf Jurkic for the remainder of the season, but his backup provided plenty of scoring in the series opener. Enes Kanter had a monster game with 20 points and 18 rebounds to help lead the Trail Blazers to victory.
Portland is known for having one of the most talented backcourts in the league, but they had plenty of balance in the series opener.
The Blazers were the fourth highest scoring team in the league during the regular season at 114.7 points per game. Portland has a pair of guards in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum who are capable of carrying the offense on any given night. The dynamic duo combined to score 54 points in the series opener, and made eight three-pointers.
Portland is a handful to try to defend, especially at home. If the Blazers continue to make shots at a high percentage, they have a great shot at going up 2-0 in the series.
Westbrook, George Carrying Thunder
Paul George and Russell Westbrook did all they could in the series opener, but they need some help from the rest of the team. George is playing with an injured shoulder but still managed to pour in 26 points in Game 1. Russell Westbrook did a little bit of everything for the Thunder, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
These two superstars will no doubt show up again in game two, but they can’t do this alone. The duo did go just 4-19 from the three-point line in the Game 1 loss, and they must shoot better in this game.
Oklahoma City averaged 114.5 points per game during the regular season, but the Blazers found a way to slow them down in the opener. The Thunder also shot just 5 of 33 from deep as a team, and that isn’t a recipe that is going to get them back in the series.
Oklahoma City got just 21 points from the bench in the series opener, and that has been a strength for them for much of the season. There is no doubt that the Thunder have the talent and experience to get back into this series, but they are going to have to play much better in the second game of the series.
Portland Takes 2-0 Series Lead
Oklahoma City thought that this was going to be their year, but they got a tough draw against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers are very comfortable playing at home, and they know how to beat the Thunder.
Look for this to be another tight game throughout, but Portland is going to take a 2-0 series lead. Bet the Portland Trail Blazers -2.0 over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
