The Suns are traveling to Oregon in the search for a third win in a row after they beat Utah and Sacramento in the last few days, while the Blazers are looking for a third consecutive victory over Phoenix. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Suns at Trail Blazers
Spread: Phoenix Suns +10.5 (-102); Portland Trail Blazers -10.5 (-108) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: Over 216 (-106); Under 216 (-104)
The Suns are hoping to extend the positive run
Despite the big backroom problems and a turbulent period in Phoenix, the Suns managed to record consecutive victories even without their key player Eric Bledsoe and head coach Earl Watson. Jay Triano was appointed as an interim coach, and under his guidance, the Suns beat the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz, and although it’s early to make such predictions, the Canadian could be the long-term answer for the team from the desert.
Phoenix wasn’t particularly good from the field (43.8%) nor from beyond the arc (31.6%), but they dominated the boards (55-44) and committed 16 turnovers in opposite to Utah’s 24, so that was enough for a 97:88 win. T.J Warren led the Suns on the scoreboard with 27 points (12-20 FG) and five rebounds, while Devin Booker had 17 points (7-19 FG), six boards, and three assists. The backup point guard Tyler Ulis added 15 points, five dishes, and two steals in 26 minutes off the bench and could be the candidate to step in instead of alienated Eric Bledsoe. Tandem of centers, Alex Len and Tyson Chandler combined for 19 points and 23 rebounds. Mike James, who started at the PG, added just five points (1-9 FG) and four boards, so the coach Triano could opt to begin with Ulis in this match rather than James, but in any case, they should share minutes on the floor. Booker vs. McCollum is the matchup to watch as it’s probably going to be a shootout between two excellent scorers, while Damian Lillard could have an easy job against Phoenix point guards. MarqueseChriss scored only four points in 23 minutes, and I expect the 20-year-old power forward to bounce back on this one, but the matchup with Aminu will not be a very favorable one for the youngster.
Brandon Knight is a long-term absentee due to a knee injury; Devon Reed has the same problems and is sidelined, while the center Alan Williams is also out with knee issues. The Suns are scoring 101.60 points per contest on average, while they are allowing 117.80 in return, so they will probably concede at least 110 on Saturday night as their defense doesn’t look serious at the moment.
Place: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Date/Time: Saturday, October 29th, 2017. 10:00 PM ET
TV Coverage: NBCSNW, FOX SPORTS ARIZONA
The Blazers are looking for the third win in a row over Phoenix
The Portland Trail Blazers suffered a painful 103:104 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers as Blake Griffin hit a three-point buzzer beater, so the blazer now have three wins and two defeats at the moment, but are huge favorites to beat the Suns on Saturday night.
Portland didn’t impress from the field as they had just 39.3%, but they were much better from downtown (14-31 for 45.2%). The Blazers missed only three free throws out of 22 attempts (86.4%) and committed nine turnovers, which is an excellent number, so it’s quite strange how they failed to get a victory here. They even recorded more assists than the Clippers (19-11), but the visitors were lucky to get away from Portland with a W. Damian Lillard led the hosts with 25 points, (7-19 FG, 4-9 3PT, and 7-7 FT) and six assists, while CJ McCollum added 23 points (8-18 FG, 2-3 3PT, and 5-7 FT), five rebounds, and four dishes. Three more Blazers contributed with double digits; Al-FarouqAminu had 19 points, six boards, and three thefts, Maurice Harkless posted 13 points and four rebounds, while the center JusufNurkic chipped in with 12 points and eight boards. Even Turner, who displayed solid performances in the opening four matches, struggled on this one as he scored only four points in 22 minutes, but he will have a nice matchup against the Suns to recover, so I am expecting him to get to double figures with no problem. The duo Lillard and McCollum could combine for 50+ points as they have an easy job against weakened Phoenix’s backcourt, and I see them as the key to this tilt.
Meyers Leonard injured his ankle against New Orleans, but luckily for him, the X-rays came were negative, so he will miss a few more games instead of a prolonged period, as it was feared at first. Ed Davis will continue to take his minutes, and the backup center did a good job thus far, averaging 7.2 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 18:36 mpg. Chris Wilcox will be out for 6-8 weeks with a knee injury, while Noah Vonleh should be back in early November as he is still recovering from a right shoulder setback. The Blazers are scoring 110.80 points per contest on average, while they are allowing 96.40 in return, so anything below 110 points against Phoenix would be surprising.
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers Game Trends & Prediction
The Suns recorded one win in the last four visits to Portland, and they scored 110+ points in each of those contests, but still lost three of them. Another 110+ match here doesn’t guarantee Phoenix a victory, but the only way to beat the Blazers is to outscore them because I don’t have faith in The Suns’ defense, which has been disastrous so far in the season. Phoenix is 1-3 against the spread at the moment, while they are 2-2 on over/under, so instead of the spread, I would opt for points, and I’d choose OVER.
The Blazers won seven out of the previous nine duels with Phoenix and considering their form and the contingent of available players; they must be regarded as clear favorites on Saturday night. The Suns are not quite dangerous away from home, so I don’t think the hosts will have troubles to beat the visitors here, but I wouldn’t bet on a spread. Portland is 4-1 against the spread, which suggests that they could be a fine option to play, but I would skip it. On the other hand, they are 1-4 on over/under, but considering the recent history between these sides and the amount of point in each of those encounters, I am convinced we’re going to see a bunch of baskets.
My Pick: pass
Total: Over 216 points (-106)
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