Shabazz Napier is a rabid animal when it comes to winning (vs OKC)

We like a rather large (for us) 4.0% AUM bet on Portland to cover the 8 point spread over OKC. Here's why...

#1 Shabazz Napier loves to win
In all games Lillard absent, Shabazz has played out of his mind. You'd almost think he's a bit jealous having to watch Kemba Walker's unchallenged starting point-guardness every game?! Shabazz isn't happy being #2 to anyone, much less someone on his own TEAM! Expect him to play well, and expect him to bleed to get a W. That's Napier for you.

#2 Lillard Out means Portland is being given too many points. See #1 above.

#3 OKC has been playing better as Russ gets used to the fact that George and Carmelo weren't as great ACTUAL signings as everyone led him to believe. He's still got last year's crew around him tho, and trusts Adams. But its just not enough, Carmelo still BARELY pays attention on defense.

#4 Roberson is out
This might actually be our favorite point, punters and NBA fans routinely discount defense, and thus have no clue how good Roberson actually is. Him being out is a MAJOR blow, which is a big edge here.

#5 Punters all betting on OKC. Most punters and nba fans couldn't pick Damian Lillard out of a lineup of Patrick Beverly and Eric Bledsoe, you can't expect them to know to bet on tiny Portland over probably the most storied off-season OKC team in the nba.

Why we might be wrong...

#1 OKC is better than we thought
Never underestimate Russ's ability to find a way to win no matter WHO is on his team. But like we said, that's against same for Napier so we like our chances with EIGHT points coming to us.

#2 Portland's backup point guard....
We don't even profess to know who it is, Wade Baldwin? A wing playing as PG? Connaughton? Connaughton would be ok actually.

#3 Refs blow calls in favor of the hometown names.

Anyway, wish you the best on this one.