The Thunder was pushed to the brink by the Utah Jazz in back to back games last weekend but prevailed both times, showing the moxie and mental toughness that will be crucial for this team to exhibit down the line. Tonight, it will face another Northwest Division foe in the Portland Trail Blazers and the task will be the same – to play the right brand of basketball on both ends of the floor.
The Jazz went small to try to thwart the Thunder’s big men and their physicality around the rim, and the Blazers are naturally inclined to generate shots in a similar way with penetrating guards who can kick out to shooters.