The NBA First Round Playoff Games have arrived as Pickswise will be handing out daily winning NBA picks starting on Sunday. With over a decade of combined winning experience, Pickswise is your number one NBA first round playoff resource to win. To kick off the first round playoff games, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers from the Western Conference will go toe to toe. Enjoy these free NBA first round playoff predictions? Give @Pickswise a follow and get a first hand-look on his daily research.
Thunder vs. Blazers First Round Playoff Predictions
Game 1: Thunder vs. Blazers
Line: Blazers -150
Pickswise Expert Picks: Thunder Win
The Thunder come in as underdogs on Sunday against the Trail Blazers but they are still the smart play in this game. The Trail Blazers sit at -150 on the moneyline while the Thunder at +130. These teams have played four games so far this year with two of those games being played in Portland and although both of those games were close, the Thunder were able to come away with the victory. Now this isn’t a slam dunk game and this might be an unpopular pick but there is no way you can lay -150 with a team that has lost four straight games against the Thunder. Tread on this game lightly, but if you want to make a wager on it, make sure it’s on the plus money.
Game 2: Thunder vs. Blazers
Line: Blazers -125
Pickswise Expert Picks: Blazers Win
The Thunder beat the Trail Blazers four times during the regular season but in the postseason Paul George has disappeared and that has led to the chances for Thunder wins to also disappear. Damian Lillard was cooking during game one and when that happens and they are playing at home, it’s hard for anyone to slow them down. The Trail Blazers are only -125 in this game and this might be one of the best values you will get this entire playoffs. The Trail Blazers are 33-9 straight up on their home court compared to the Thunder who are only 22-20 away from their home court. Don’t over think this game, there is no where else that you should make this play. Back the Trail Blazers with a lot of confidence in this game.
Game 3: Thunder vs. Blazers
Line: Thunder -250
Pickswise Expert Picks: Thunder Win
This series switches back to Oklahoma City with the Trail Blazers currently leading 2-0 in the series and this is desperation time for the Thunder. It has never been a strength for the Thunder to play on the road only one game above .500 but at home they have been a different team this year going 34-9. Russell Westbrook has already played really well on his home floor and there is no reason that should be different in this game. He hasn’t shot the ball well from deep this year but he is a 3 percent better shooter from deep on his home floor.
Look for Westbrook and Paul George to outduel Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum and for them to come away with a big victory. There is no reason to believe this can’t be one of the games that Westbrook drops 50 points and he should lead this team to a victory. Back the Thunder with confidence.
Game 4: Thunder vs. Blazers
Line: Thunder -240
Pickswise Expert Picks: Thunder Win
We backed the Thunder in game three and they looked like a completely different team than they were on the road. They did something they couldn’t do in Portland, close out the game and that led to a victory 120-108. Russell Westbrook looks like he’s back out for blood putting up 33 points and it’s going to be his and Paul George’s show again on Sunday.
Damian Lillard still got his in game three but besides that there wasn’t much production. The Thunder’s defense should be able to step up again in this game and this is a nice safe bet with the Thunder pulling game four out. Back this one with confidence.
Game 5: Thunder vs. Blazers
Line: Blazers -175
Pickswise Expert Picks: Blazers Win
The Portland Trail Blazers have a chance to close out their series on Tuesday against the Thunder and that is exactly what they will do. Russell Westbrook has really struggled this series and it has led to a lot of the Thunder’s struggles. In 40 minutes he only scored 14 points and that times already he has looked checked out of the series. Without Westbrook having success they have no chance and that will be the difference. All of game five will be Damian Lillard time and look for the Trail Blazers to win this game. You can also back this game with a ton of confidence.
