When the Portland Trail Blazers faced the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, once again they lined up against a squad that could field a better team in street clothes than the Blazers at full health. Oklahoma City sat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, among others, playing reserves they hoped would get experience against this young and plucky Blazers team. Portland was missing forward Deni Avdija and center Deandre Ayton from their normal starting lineup but welcomed back veteran forward Jerami Grant after an extended absence.
Several experienced teams have laid in wait for the Blazers in recent games, letting Portland run themselves out and then catching up to them late.