The Oklahoma City Thunder have gotten hot at the right time, having won 11 of 13 in March. The Portland Trail Blazers are showing signs of virility, too, with a mammoth comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. The teams meet in OKC on Sunday, with the Thunder trying to clinch a playoff spot and the Blazers hoping to take their home magic on the road.
Blazers Vs. Thunder: Portland Hopes For Road Sparks In Oklahoma City
The Blazers have won six straight at home, including Friday's 98-96 victory over the incredible Spurs. But Portland has lost three straight road games dating back to March 11. After knocking off the Heat in Miami convincingly on March 8, the Blazers have dropped road games to the Bobcats, Hawks and Lakers. The Thunder, then, pose a tough challenge.
There's also the matter of the Thunder having tipped the Blazers twice already this season, with the teams' season series wrapping up next weekend with a fourth game. While the Blazers have no hopes of catching OKC for the division title or a top-4 seed, given the possibility the teams could match up in the first round, Portland would certainly like to prove to itself that it can stop and counter Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
The Blazers are 1.5 games behind the Nuggets for the No. 5 seed. The Thunder are virtually assured the No. 4. With all due respect to the Thunder, they'd seem a more permeable first-round matchup than the No. 3 Dallas Mavericks (or Los Angeles Lakers, should they stutter). The Nuggets and Blazers will each push hard for that No. 5 seed.
A win over the Thunder, then, would give the Blazers a boost of confidence and a step in the right direction in terms of seeding. The game is on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. For Blazers analysis, visit Blazersedge. For more on the Thunder, check out Welcome To Loud City.
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