Blazers vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer

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Portland Trail Blazers (1-0, 0-0 road) vs. OKC Thunder (0-1, 0-0 home)

TV: FS OK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 109.2 (2nd), Blazers– 123.1 (2nd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.9 (13th), Blazers – 112.5 (20th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.5 (4th), Blazers – 94.3 (14th)

View from the enemy: Portland Roundball Society

If there was ever a time to be pumped about a back-to-back, this feels like this is it. The grossness of that finish in San Antonio coupled with the fact the Thunder need to get back on the floor and work on some stuff make tonight’s game against the Blazers much appreciated.

The Thunder kind of terribly against the Spurs, but had their chance to win. I think that’s a good thing, but I’m not entirely sure. We’ll see. Tonight’s game will be a little different than the opener against the Spurs in that it’s in front of the home crowd meaning it’s an official introduction for Kevin Martin.

Portland coming in: The Blazers have played once, beating up on the Lakers.

Three Big Things

1. Westbrook vs. Lillard. Boy, am I pumped about this matchup. Lillard was pretty electric in his first game, but that was against Steve Nash and Steve Blake. Now he gets to go against the tank that is Westbrook, who you can be sure is a) excited to beat up on the rookie and b) really wanting to wash last night’s taste out of his mouth. Westbrook played terrible and he doesn’t typically do that two nights in a row.

2. Serge Ibaka. Really expected a little more out of him offensively than he gave against the Spurs. Only four points isn’t going to really cut it when the Thunder are looking to him to potentially be a new third scorer. He has the LaMarcus Aldridge assignment which is his priority, but he also has to get that offensive game going a little.

3. Fitting in. It’s only game two of the Thunder’s remodel. Kevin Martin quietly performed pretty well in his first run, but the Thunder need him to be a bit more aggressive looking for his. He’s a scorer by trade and can’t shy away from good looks. Remember: He said the two best players he’s ever played with are Brad Miller and Ron Artest. So he’s getting used to this whole Westbrook and Durant thing.

Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Bounce Back.