The set-up: The 35-25 OKC Thunder are trying to catch the Utah Jazz in the Northwest and just beat the Jazz 109-106 Tuesday night at home, closing to within 1 1/2 games of Utah. They head to Portland tonight to take on the 24-35 Trail Blazers, who find themselves in a virtual three-way tie with the Kings and T-wolves (both are 25-36), 2 1/2 games back of the No. 8-seeded Denver Nuggets.

Oklahoma City: Russell Westbrook scored 43 points in the win over the Jazz plus added 11 rebounds and 10 assists. He now has 30 triple-doubles and can match Wilt Chamberlain (1967-68) for the second-most triple-doubles in a season (at 31) with his next one (note: The Big O had 41 in 1961-62). Westbrook (31.2-10.6-10.3) is hoping to join Oscar Robertson (1961-62) as the only players to average a triple-double for a season but one hopes, the bigger deal is improving the team's playoff position. To that end, OKC improved its bench with a trade last week that brought forwards Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott from Chicago. In three games, Gibson is averaging 8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 22.7 minutes off the bench. McDermott averages 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. If and when those guys play more, OKC will be the better for it.

Portland: Tuesday's 120-113 OT loss in Detroit gave the Blazers a 1-3 record on their road trip. They are one of five teams with a chance to catch the 8th-seeded Nuggets for the West's final playoff spot. Portland was sloppy in its loss at Detroit, committing 24 turnovers. The starting backcourt of shooting guard CJ McCollum (six) and PG Damian Lillard (four) combined for 10. Lillard (26.0-5.0-5.8) and McCollum (23.3) are a dynamic backcourt duo but the team won't go anywhere if the team plays like it did at Detroit.

The pick: There was a time when opposing teams dreaded coming to Portland but no longer. The blazers are just 14-13 SU & 12-15 ATS at home this season. OKC is a 10* play.