Game 54 Preview: Portland Trailblazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Blazers
30-23 Analysis Thunder
29-21
PG
On their recent five-game winning streak, Russell Westbrook is averaging 19.8 points, 9 assists, and 6.4 rebounds. He has been a perfect sidekick for Kevin Durant and quality distributor on this young team.
Andre Miller has been at his best this month when he's distributing the basketball. In the two wins in February, he's averaged 10 assists per game, and in the two losses just five apg. Andre will be stifled by the quickness of Westbrook, but hopefully he can contain the young star.
PG
SG
For now, I'm going to guess that Martell is moved to the 2 guard position and Nic Batum starts at the 3. It's the only realistic option to stop Durant. Plus Webster matches up well with the larger Sefolosha or James Harden.
Thabo and James tend to defer all scoring to Westbrook or Durant. This creates an opportunity for Martell and Jerryd to put up some points and win this matchup. They will.
SG
SF
Kevin Durant is pretty much putting on a show this year. He's averaging almost 30 a game, and during the five game winning streak he's averaged 33.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He's a scoring machine. The interesting thing is that he's been somewhat pedestrian against the Blazers in his career, and with Batum focused on guarding him, we may be able to keep KD in check. Either way, I still think it's Durant's matchup to win.
SF
PF
LaMarcus Aldridge has been tremendous lately. He may not be a prototypical alpha dog on offense, or a banger in the low post. But in February he's averaging 22 points and 9.5 rebounds in four games.
This matchup tonight seems perfect for LA. He is taller and longer than Jeff Green as well as quicker than Nick Collison. That doesn't mean that Green and Collison won't be a problem. Jeff is very athletic and Nick is committed to rebounding and defense. I do believe LaMarcus will win this matchup.
PF
C
Certainly not the highlight of this game, Juwan Howard and Nenad Krstic will get after it in the post. Neither guy is a major threat, but I think this could be one of those games where Pendergraph can get things going for himself. Despite a size disadvantage, I like our guys and I think the Blazers will break the five game winning streak by the Thunder.
C
Blazers 30-23	Analysis	Thunder 29-21
PG	On their recent five-game winning streak, Russell Westbrook is averaging 19.8 points, 9 assists, and 6.4 rebounds. He has been a perfect sidekick for Kevin Durant and quality distributor on this young team. Andre Miller has been at his best this month when he's distributing the basketball. In the two wins in February, he's averaged 10 assists per game, and in the two losses just five apg. Andre will be stifled by the quickness of Westbrook, but hopefully he can contain the young star.	PG
SG	For now, I'm going to guess that Martell is moved to the 2 guard position and Nic Batum starts at the 3. It's the only realistic option to stop Durant. Plus Webster matches up well with the larger Sefolosha or James Harden. Thabo and James tend to defer all scoring to Westbrook or Durant. This creates an opportunity for Martell and Jerryd to put up some points and win this matchup. They will.	SG
SF	Kevin Durant is pretty much putting on a show this year. He's averaging almost 30 a game, and during the five game winning streak he's averaged 33.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He's a scoring machine. The interesting thing is that he's been somewhat pedestrian against the Blazers in his career, and with Batum focused on guarding him, we may be able to keep KD in check. Either way, I still think it's Durant's matchup to win.	SF
PF	LaMarcus Aldridge has been tremendous lately. He may not be a prototypical alpha dog on offense, or a banger in the low post. But in February he's averaging 22 points and 9.5 rebounds in four games. This matchup tonight seems perfect for LA. He is taller and longer than Jeff Green as well as quicker than Nick Collison. That doesn't mean that Green and Collison won't be a problem. Jeff is very athletic and Nick is committed to rebounding and defense. I do believe LaMarcus will win this matchup.	PF
C	Certainly not the highlight of this game, Juwan Howard and Nenad Krstic will get after it in the post. Neither guy is a major threat, but I think this could be one of those games where Pendergraph can get things going for himself. Despite a size disadvantage, I like our guys and I think the Blazers will break the five game winning streak by the Thunder.	C