Tip-off: Friday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: Portland -3.5, Total: 207.0

The Blazers look to win their second straight game when they host the Thunder on Friday.

The Thunder went into Phoenix on Thursday and came away with a 117-113 overtime loss as 5-point road favorites. Oklahoma City had won-and-covered in seven straight before that loss. The Blazers haven’t playing nearly as well though, as a 111-95 victory as 2.5-point home favorites over San Antonio snapped a 2-game SU and ATS losing streak for Portland. The Blazers had averaged just 84.0 PPG in their previous two games before exploding for 111 points against the Spurs. They’ll need to be more consistent offensively moving forward. These two teams have met twice this season, with Portland winning-and-covering in both games. Despite the more recent success for the Blazers, Oklahoma City is still 6-4 SU and 5-4-1 ATS versus Portland over the past three seasons. The Thunder is also 3-2 SU and 2-2 ATS versus the Blazers in Portland in that time. Eight of the past 10 games played between these teams have gone Under the total. Oklahoma City is 3-13 ATS after two straight games committing 11 or less turnovers over the past three seasons. The team is, however, 12-1 ATS after scoring 110 points or more this season. SF Kevin Durant (Foot) is out for the next week or so as he deals with soreness in his foot and SF Steve Novak (Appendix) and C Steven Adams (Hand) are out indefinitely for the Thunder. C Joel Freeland (Shoulder) is out indefinitely for the Blazers.

Can the Thunder continue to play well with a win in Portland Friday? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 55% ATS record (154-126-1) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a huge 67% ATS (65-32) record since Feb. 1, led by StatFox Brian who has a stellar 75% ATS (15-5) mark in Best Bets during this timeframe, and is now 60% ATS (53-36) in season Best Bets. StatFox Scott is also sizzling with a 67% ATS record (32-16) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 58% ATS (51-37) for the season. StatFox Gary is also hot with a 61% ATS (25-16) mark in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and 57% ATS (50-38) this season. StatFox Zach is a robust 67% ATS (28-14) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2, while StatFox Dave is red-hot 65% ATS (15-8) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 28.

The Thunder was unable to earn a victory in Phoenix on Thursday, but the team is still playing remarkably as of late. PG Russell Westbrook (26.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, 6.6 RPG, 2.1 SPG) shot the ball horribly against the Blazers, but he did have 39 points (12-for-38 FG, 1-for-10 3PT, 14-for-16 FT), 14 rebounds, 11 assists and three steals in 43 minutes. It was Westbrook’s second straight triple-double and he is now averaging 29.4 PPG, 11.6 APG and 9.0 RPG over the past five contests. The superstar has dominated Portland this year, averaging 39.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 6.0 APG and 3.0 SPG in two games against the team. He’ll need to find a way to get his team a victory in this one. C Enes Kanter (14.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG) has played well since being traded to Oklahoma City. Kanter had 18 points and six rebounds in 37 minutes against the Suns and he’ll have to score in the post if the Thunder is going to beat the Blazers. Portland has an excellent frontcourt, so the Thunder will need points in the paint in this game. PF Serge Ibaka (14.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 BPG) must be at his best in this game, as he will need to play well defensively against PF LaMarcus Aldridge (23.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.1 BPG). Ibaka can also help this team by spacing the floor, as he is a very good outside shooter (39% 3PT) now. If he is blocking shots and knocking down jumpers then he will make his teammates a lot better in this one. SG Dion Waiters (10.8 PPG, 1.3 SPG) has played much better for the Thunder recently, averaging 15.7 PPG over the past three contests. Waiters is going to be relied on to score off the bench the rest of the season, especially with SF Kevin Durant (25.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.1 APG) out.

The Blazers picked up a much-needed victory in a 111-95 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday. PF LaMarcus Aldridge really struggled in that game, finishing with just 11 points (5-for-19 FG), 13 rebounds and no blocks in 35 minutes of action. Aldridge has played well against Oklahoma City this season, averaging 26.0 PPG in two meetings with the Thunder. He must find his stroke in this game, as the Thunder offense has been on fire lately and the Blazers will need their leading scorer to be playing at a high level. PG Damian Lillard (21.3 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG) had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists against the Spurs. Lillard hasn’t played poorly, but he also hasn’t scored 20+ points in each of the past four games. He will be looking to end that streak against a Thunder team that he has lit up this season, scoring 25.0 PPG with 8.0 APG in their two previous meetings. Lillard will, however, need to play well on defense as well with Westbrook in town. SG Wesley Matthews (16.3 PPG, 1.2 SPG) had one of his best games of the season against San Antonio, scoring 31 points with five rebounds and three steals in 34 minutes. Matthews is one of the best two-way players in the league and he will need to bring a lot of energy to his team against the Thunder. C Robin Lopez (9.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG) is averaging 2.0 BPG over the past four contests. He’ll need to play some solid defense in this game, as Enes Kanter has really been playing well offensively for Oklahoma City. SF Nicolas Batum (9.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.1 SPG) has looked excellent over the past two games, averaging 16.0 PPG, 7.0 APG and 7.0 RPG in 36.5 MPG. Batum struggled in the first half of the season, but he can really bring this Blazers team to another level if he starts shooting the ball well consistently.