OKC vs POR Dream11 NBA Team Prediction – NBA Play-offs | Fantasy Team News

Portland Trail Blazers vs Oklahoma City Thunder, Prediction and Fantasy Team News

MATCH DETAILS:
What competition it is? NBA Playoffs
Series: First Game
Teams: Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder
Match Day: April 15, 2019
Jump Ball Time: @ 01:00 AM IST
Where the game is played? Moda Center (21,000)
TV Info: Sony Sports Network has the rights to stream NBA matches in India. Premier members can also catch the Live Action on SonyLiv App.

OKC vs POR Dream11 MATCH PREVIEW:

Portland Trail Blazers begin their post-season journey with a first-round matchup against Oklahoma City Thunder in an NBA match at Moda Center, in Portland, Oregon, United States, on Monday morning (IST).

Another season and Portland Trail Blazers again managed to exceed the expectations. In a tough Western Conference, they finished fourth on the table with a record of 53-29.

Game 1 vs @okcthunder: Sunday, 12:30pm on ABC pic.twitter.com/cmzH2hmDpn

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 11, 2019

But Portland have always failed to take their regular season form to the playoffs.  Last season, they finished fourth but swept aside 0-4 by New Orleans Pelicans in the first round.

This has been Blazers’ perennial problem actually – the first round hurdle. Since 2000-01 seasons, Portland have qualified for 12 post-seasons and lost 10 times in the first round, including the last two by a score of 0-4.

But this season feels that Portland may be ready to bury the ghosts of the first round. Take for example the trend of their wins this season.

This season, Portland never lost more than three successive games. In fact, they lost three consecutive games only twice. While last season, they suffered losing streaks of five games, four games, and three games. Only a winning streak of 13 games propelled them to the playoffs, helping them to finish the season with 49 wins.

Portland must also make do without their first choice Center Jusuf Nurkic who suffered a devastating knee injury last month. Blazers went 7-2 in his absence which is a decent return but he will be missed in the playoffs.

ONE.

DAY.

UNTIL.

PLAYOFFS. pic.twitter.com/Tx0IgpXmv1

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 12, 2019

Oklahoma City Thunder have had their own ups and downs this season. They started the season with four straight defeats but soon picked up the pace as Paul George showed MVP caliber performances.

Regular Season Record-
Portland Trail Blazers: W-53, L-29
Oklahoma City Thunder: W-49, L-33

Players to watch out for:

Portland Trail Blazers:
Damian Lillard –Portland’s best player by some margin, and it has been the case for a few years now. The team wouldn’t have been here had it not for Damian Lillard’s incredible consistency this season. The 28-year-old is close to 30 points per game in the last 10 matches or so, which shows that he can touch any lofty height in his career. The 2012 round-one pick is averaging 26.3 points per game.

C.J.McCollum – In terms of scoring, he is Portland’s 2nd best player this season, averaging 21.0 points per game. He could be a good option to include in your Dream11 team considering he has averaged 19.8 points per game against Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City Thunder:
Paul George – He was primed to leave Oklahoma City Thunder after a rather unsatisfying first season with Russell Westbrook and Co. Thankfully he didn’t. Now, look what he has been doing with Oklahoma this season, scoring at a career-high 28.1 points per game. He is a candidate for both MVP and defensive POY. A two-way player who is a rare breed these days. He can do everything on a Basketball court.
Russell Westbrook – The only player to average a triple-double this season. Russell Westbrook looks like a player playing in his own league. Against Los Angeles Lakers, he added another glorious chapter to his historical career as he became just the second player in NBA to record 20 or more points, rebounds or assists in a game.

OKC vs POR Dream11 TEAM NEWS:
Portland Trail Blazers:
Injured – Blazers have been dealt a huge blow ahead of the post-season as their second best player, Centre Jusuf Nurkic, suffered a devastating knee injury and is expected to miss the entire post-season.
Questionable – None at the moment.
Suspended – None.

Oklahoma City Thunder:
Injured – Thunder have a full squad to choose from. Andre Roberson is the only player out injured. He has missed the entire season with a knee injury.
Questionable – Paul George is listed as questionable ahead of this match. If he misses, Thunder may buckle under pressure. The former Indiana Pacers star will be monitored before the match.
 Suspended – None.

OKC vs POR Dream11 Teams (Starting Lineup; Probables):

• Portland Trail Blazers: Al-Farouq Aminu (F), Maurice Harkless (F), Enes Kanter (C), McCollum (G), Damian Lillard (G)
• Oklahoma City Thunder: Paul George (F), Jeramai Grant (F), Steven Adams (C), Russell Westbrook (G), Terrance Ferguson (G)

From the bench (Probables):

• Portland Trail Blazers: Jake Layman, Evan Turner, Zach Collins, Seth Curry, Meyers Leonard, Rodney Hood, Skal Labissiere, Gary Trent Jr., Anfernee Simons
• Oklahoma City Thunder: Dennis Schroder, Markieff Morris, Nerlens Noel, Raymond Felton, Patrick Patterson

OKC vs POR Dream11 Fantasy Team:

INDIA FANTASY PREDICTION:

As much as Portland Trail Blazers are aiming to end their first-round hurdle, Oklahoma City Thunder are under pressure to perform as well. Certainly after getting dumped out at the first round last season.

The start will be of ultra importance, especially for the Blazers who are at home.

This is a difficult match to call, and much will also depend on Paul George and his fitness.

We think Blazers will be favorites to win here.

NOTE: THIS OKC vs POR Dream11 MATCH PREVIEW IS BASED ON OUR RESEARCH AND UNDERSTANDING FROM VARIOUS NEWS SOURCES. YOU CAN SELECT YOUR OWN PLAYING 11 ON THE BASIS OF TEAM NEWS.