The Portland Trail Blazers have not defeated a winning team since Feb. 6.
That changing Friday at the Oklahoma City seemed improbable before the Thunder released their injury report.
The Thunder (51-11), who have the NBA’s second-best record, are favored by just two points over the Blazers (28-35).
How is that possible? Well, most of the Thunder’s players who produced their record will be sidelined.
Four of the Thunder’s top six scorers will be out. Jalen Williams (right wrist sprain), Luguentz Dortz (right patellofemoral soreness), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (rest) and Isaiah Hartenstein (nasal fracture surgery).
Chet Holmgren (right lower leg) is questionable. Aaron Wiggins is expected to play.
That’s at least 74.8 points per game that will be on the bench, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32.8. Holmgren sitting would push the number to 89.8.
However, the Blazers have not always done well against teams with stars on the bench.
On Nov. 10, they lost 134-89 at home to the Memphis Grizzlies, who were without Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.
On Dec. 6, Utah dominated the Blazers 141-99 at the Moda Center while playing without Lauri Markkanen.
On Feb. 8, Portland lost 114-98 at Minnesota, down Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley Jr. And Julius Randle.
But the Thunder on Friday will be more depleted of impact players than any quality opponent the Blazers have faced this season.
Taking advantage of the situation by earning a win would be huge for the Blazers. They will enter Friday four games behind 10th-place Dallas (32-31) and 1½ behind 11th-place Phoenix (29-33).
The Mavericks, who have lost five of their last six games and are now without Kyrie Irving (season-ending knee injury), host Memphis (38-24). The Suns play at Denver (40-22)