Tip-off: Monday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: N/A, Total: N/A

The Thunder look to stay alive in the playoff race with a home win over the Blazers Monday.

The Trail Blazers lost their second straight game in a 111-105 loss as 10-point home favorites on Saturday. They’ve now lost three of their past four games both SU and ATS and are allowing 111.0 PPG in those defeats. The Thunder, meanwhile, lost 116-104 as 4-point underdogs in Indiana Sunday. Oklahoma City is fighting for its playoff spot and likely needs to win out in order to make it. These teams have met three times this season and the Blazers are 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in those games. Over the past three seasons though, the Thunder are 3-2 SU and ATS when hosting the Blazers. Portland is 9-3 ATS after a game where both teams scored 105 points or more this season and 4-1 ATS after scoring 105 points or more in three straight games this season as well. The team is, however, just 3-10 ATS after allowing 110 points or more in two straight games this season. The Thunder, meanwhile, are an impressive 8-2 ATS as a home underdog over the past three seasons. PF LaMarcus Aldridge (Foot) is questionable for the Blazers, who are already without SG Arron Afflalo (Shoulder) for the next week and SG Wesley Matthews (Achilles) and SF Dorell Wright (Hand) for the season. Oklahoma City is without SF Perry Jones (Knee), Serge Ibaka (Knee) and SF Kevin Durant (Foot) for the season. PG Russell Westbrook is likely facing a one-game suspension for picking up his 16th technical foul of the season against Indiana last game.

Can the Thunder keep themselves in the playoff race with a home victory over Portland Monday? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a huge 60% ATS (217-143-4) record since Jan. 2, led by StatFox Brian who has a lofty 60% ATS (29-19-1) mark in Best Bets since Feb. 4, and is now 57% ATS (68-51-1) in season Best Bets. StatFox Gary has a strong 57% ATS (41-31-1) mark in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and is 56% ATS (66-53-1) this season. StatFox Scott is also sizzling with a 60% ATS record (47-32-1) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 56% ATS (66-53-1) for the season. StatFox Zach is a scorching 65% ATS (47-25-1) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2 to sit at 53% ATS (63-55-2) for the season, while StatFox Dave is a robust 65% ATS (35-19) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 28 and 53% ATS (63-56-1) for the season.

The Blazers are still fighting for their position in the playoffs and can use a win over the Thunder on Monday. PG Damian Lillard (21.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.7 RPG, 1.2 SPG) did everything he could to get this team a win on Saturday, putting up 28 points with five assists and five rebounds in the loss to Utah. Lillard is averaging 26.3 PPG and 7.0 APG in three games against Oklahoma City this season and could be in for an even bigger game if Westbrook is not on the floor. He must attack the rim and take smart shots though, as he won’t help the team if he is forcing things. SG C.J. McCollum (6.9 PPG) continues to light it up for Portland. He had 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals against the Jazz Saturday and is averaging 16.2 PPG over the past five contests. PF LaMarcus Aldridge (23.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.0 BPG) did not play against the Jazz and the team can really use him against Oklahoma City. He’s averaging 27.0 PPG against the Thunder this season and would make things a lot easier on Damian Lillard in this one. C Robin Lopez (9.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.4 BPG) had 21 points and six boards against Utah and will need to play well defensively on Enes Kanter Monday.

The Thunder need a victory over the Blazers on Monday and could have to do it without PG Russell Westbrook (27.9 PPG, 8.6 APG, 7.2 RPG, 2.1 SPG), who is coming off a career-high 54-point performance against the Pacers on Sunday. He also added nine rebounds and eight assists and the Thunder would have nearly no chance of winning this game if his suspension holds up. SGs Anthony Morrow (10.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG) and Dion Waiters (11.5 PPG, 1.1 SPG) are going to need to be ready to make a huge impact if the Thunder are forced to play without their superstar guard. Morrow had just seven points in 29 minutes of action against the Pacers last game, but he is shooting 46.7% from the outside over the past five games. He’ll need to make his open looks from three against Portland in this game. Waiters, meanwhile, is averaging 19.0 PPG and 2.0 SPG over the past two contests. He’ll see a lot of extra time handling the ball in this game if Westbrook doesn’t play and he must be at his best if this team is going to stay alive in the playoff hunt. Oklahoma City will likely play through C Enes Kanter (15.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG) on the offensive end. He’s averaging 18.4 PPG and 10.0 RPG over the past five contests and will need to get the better of Robin Lopez in this one.