While regular season games can begin to feel monotonous during an 82-game NBA season, Oklahoma City is using each opportunity to improve.

LOS ANGELES – Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 35 points as the Thunder grabbed a bounce-back 118-108 victory in Portland on Jan 26 to push their National Basketball Association-best record to 37-8 but his teammate Isaiah Hartenstein said the Canadian’s defensive skills are underappreciated.

The Portland Trail Blazers return home from a 3-0 trip with a four-game winning streak to face their most daunting home stand of the season starting Sunday afternoon with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Blazers have lost twice to the Thunder, falling 137-114 at home on Nov. 1 and 109-99 on the road on Nov. 20.