Portland Trail Blazers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Picks and Predictions January 26th 2025

Blazers Riding Momentum into High-Stakes Matchup

The Portland Trail Blazers, rejuvenated by a season-high four-game winning streak, will face their toughest test yet as they host the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The matchup pits a red-hot Blazers team against a Thunder squad eager to bounce back after a rare loss.

Portland has thrived on defense during its streak, holding the Charlotte Hornets to 37.6 percent shooting in a gritty 102-97 victory on Friday. That followed an equally dominant performance on Thursday, when the Blazers smothered Orlando in a 101-79 win, the Magic’s lowest scoring game of the season.

Led by Anfernee Simons’ 27 points and Jerami Grant’s 22, the Blazers are showing flashes of their potential despite a rebuilding year.

Rookie center Donovan Clingan has emerged as a defensive force, pulling down 13 rebounds and recording four blocks against Charlotte.

“Donovan played great,” Simons said. “Altering shots at the rim, being a presence down low … just doing the dirty work.”

Coach Chauncey Billups also highlighted Clingan’s impact, noting his ability to “clean up mistakes” and give the team confidence in its defensive schemes.

Thunder Seek to Bounce Back

The Oklahoma City Thunder (36-8) come into Portland looking to recover from a rare home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, a 121-115 defeat that snapped their 12-game home win streak.

Jalen Williams matched a season high with 33 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31, but the Thunder couldn’t overcome Dallas’ aggressive play.

Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the need for improvement:

“(Dallas) outplayed us in really every lineup,” he said. “They were the aggressor for much of the game.”

Despite the loss, Gilgeous-Alexander is having an MVP-caliber season, averaging 32 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 52.9 percent from the field. His defensive prowess has also been key, with OKC forcing a league-best 18.4 turnovers per game.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Anfernee Simons vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
   Simons has carried Portland offensively during the win streak, but he’ll face a tough challenge in Gilgeous-Alexander, who is dominating on both ends of the court.
2. Donovan Clingan vs. OKC’s Interior Play
   Clingan’s shot-blocking and rebounding will be critical as he goes up against OKC’s physical frontcourt.
3. Portland’s Defense vs. OKC’s Turnover Pressure
   Portland has thrived defensively during its streak, but the Thunder’s ability to force turnovers could disrupt the Blazers’ rhythm.

History Favors the Thunder

The Thunder have dominated this series recently, winning 14 straight against Portland, including two meetings earlier this season. Oklahoma City’s 137-114 and 109-99 victories were part of their impressive 12-game home win streak.

Prediction

The Blazers’ recent defensive surge and strong play from Simons and Clingan give them hope to snap their skid against the Thunder. However, Oklahoma City’s depth, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, might be too much to overcome.

Final Score Prediction: Thunder 118, Blazers 110

Dive into Victor Wembanyama’s Latest Odds and Expert Predictions for the Season

Conclusion

Sunday’s game offers Portland a chance to make a statement against the Western Conference’s top team while testing their progress during this winning streak. For the Thunder, it’s an opportunity to reassert dominance and solidify their place atop the standings.