The Portland Trail Blazers return home after blowing a 1-1 lead on a quick trip to Sacramento (loss) and the LA Clippers (win) to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night at the Moda Center.

That game begins a rough stretch of five games, four of which are on the road, starting Saturday at the Phoenix Suns.

That’s right. The Blazers played two on the road to bounce back and start a back-to-back at home against Western Conference contenders.

Brutal planning.

The Thunder will pose all kinds of problems for the Blazers, starting with the fact that the two best players on the court will be on the visiting team.

Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP candidate last season, is averaging 26 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game.

What may make the Thunder, who had the best record in the Western Conference last season, even scarier this season is the meteoric rise of 7-foot-10 power forward Chet Holmgren.

He is averaging 22.5 points and 11.0 rebounds after last season, adding 16.5 points and 7.9 rebounds.

The Blazers will have their hands full trying to contain both Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren.

The Thunder have won the last twelve meetings with the Blazers. Portland last defeated Oklahoma City on April 3, 2021 at home.

Prediction: Thunder all the way. The Blazers could pull off an upset if the Thunder have an off night, but that’s highly unlikely. The Thunder lead the NBA in defensive rating (91.3), while the Blazers rank 23rd in offensive rating (107.2).

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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

What: Trail Blazers (2-3) vs. Thunder (4-0), 7 p.m., Friday.

Where: Moda Center

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

TV channel: KATU Charge (antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Comcast: 302 and 1170. DirecTV and Dish: available January 1).

How to watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE using an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (cost 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost about $20. You can buy one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or Amazon and have it delivered to your home quickly. Here are some instructions for installing an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is broadcasting in your area by using the channel finder here.

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CHANCES (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Moneyline: POR +425 | OKC-575

Spread: POR+11 | Top/Bottom: 224

INJURIES

Wind players: Robert Williams III (left hamstring strain), Shaedon Sharpe (posterior labral tear in the left shoulder) and Matisse Thybulle (inflammation of the right knee) are out.

Thunder: Isaiah Hartenstein (left hand fracture), Nikola topic (left knee operation), Jaylin Williams (right hamstring injury) and Kenrich Williams (right knee surgery) are out.

NEXT

The Blazers begin a four-game trip at the Phoenix Suns on Saturday at 7 p.m.