NBA Playoffs 2019: Power ranking the first-round matchups

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons on January 29, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 7: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on during the game on March 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Portland Trail Blazers enter this matchup as the higher-seeded team, but oddsmakers expect the Oklahoma City Thunder to emerge victorious.

With Jusuf Nurkic sidelined by a gruesome leg injury, there’s reason to be concerned about Portland. While the Thunder lack a swarming point-of-attack defender like Jrue Holiday, who harassed Damian Lillard throughout a four-game sweep last spring, they do present a number of matchup problems for the Blazers.

Paul George worked his way into the MVP race for much of the year before a late-season should injury caused him to swoon. Russell Westbrook just became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for the third straight season. And with Nurkic sidelined, the Blazers lack a bruising center who can battle Steven Adams to a standstill and protect the rim against relentless Westbrook drives.

That isn’t to say the Thunder are a sure thing to advance, however. In Lillard and CJ McCollum, the Blazers have two backcourt scorers who can erupt for 30-plus points at a moment’s notice. While Nurkic’s absence looms large over the series, the frontcourt combination of Enes Kanter and Zach Collins should fiercely battle on the boards, limiting the Thunder to one shot on most trips down the floor.

If Lillard and McCollum fare better against the Thunder than they did against the New Orleans Pelicans last season, this profiles as one of the most competitive first-round matchups in either conference.

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