Trail Blazers at Thunder
Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder strive to halt a three-game losing streak when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Westbrook aims for his 31st triple-double of the season, which would tie him with Wilt Chamberlain (1967-68) for second place behind record-holder Oscar Robertson (41 in 1961-62).
Westbrook posted four consecutive 40-point outings before settling for 29 during Sunday's 104-89 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks while also receiving his 14th technical foul of the season, two shy of an automatic one-game suspension. "I think he understands what's in front of him and what we need to do," Thunder coach Billy Donovan told reporters. "I know the team is important to him and winning's important to him, and from his standpoint and from our standpoint, him on the floor helps our team." While Oklahoma City stands seventh in the Western Conference, Portland is two games behind the eighth-place Denver Nuggets. The Trail Blazers were scheduled to play at Minnesota on Monday but the game was postponed shortly before tipoff due to slippery court issues.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, KGW (Portland), FSN Oklahoma
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (26-35): Portland coach Terry Stotts had mixed feelings about Monday's postponement - he understood the injury factor but was disappointed to travel to Minnesota and not play the game. The Trail Blazers are faced with another visit to Minnesota at some point in the season but the silver lining is being a bit more rested for the game against the fast-paced Thunder. "From a fatigue standpoint, we get into Oklahoma City a couple hours early, but obviously sometime down the road, we'll have to fly back to Minnesota," Stotts told reporters. "(Whenever) that is, it's going to be a challenge. It is what it is, you go on to the next game and whenever we come back here, we come back."
ABOUT THE THUNDER (35-28): Shooting guard Victor Oladipo (back spasms) returned to practice Monday and is slated to participate in Tuesday's mid-day shootaround. Oladipo, who hasn't played since Feb. 15, remained behind while Oklahoma City was on a three-game road trip and Donovan said he feels that allowed him to make swifter progress. "I'll have a better feel after shootaround, hopefully, where he's at," Donovan said of whether Oladipo can play Tuesday night. "The time back here certainly helped him get better."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Trail Blazers are 2-1 against the Thunder this season, including Thursday's 114-109 victory in Portland behind 33 points from star PG Damian Lillard.
2. Portland swingman Allen Crabbe (leg bruise) is expected to play against the Thunder.
3. Oklahoma City C Steven Adams scored 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting Sunday after averaging 4.3 points over the past three games.