The Portland Trail Blazers travel to the Mortgage Matchup Center to battle the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. Here’s a Suns vs. Trail Blazers prediction. This article will include a Suns vs. Trail Blazers pick.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
The Portland Trail Blazers have been in decent form, as they’ve won four of their last six games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after getting humbled by the Nuggets in a 157-103 home defeat on Friday. Jrue Holiday led the team in scoring with 19 points on six of 10 shooting. Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan each scored 15 points, while Scoot Henderson chipped in with 11 points off the bench. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot just 41 percent from the field and 15 of 47 from the 3-point line as they looked completely outmatched from the very start and allowed 82 points in the first half, and things didn’t improve in the second half despite the Nuggets pulling their starters early.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been doing it tough lately, as they’ve lost five of their last eight games overall, but they will be feeling much better after they outlasted the Magic in a thrilling 113-110 double overtime win last night. Grayson Allen led the team with 27 points off the bench, Collin Gillespie added 19 points with six assists, Jordan Goodwin scored 17 points, and Jalen Green chipped in with 16 points and five assists. As a team, the Suns shot just 34 percent from the field and 16 of 55 from the 3-point line, but they played scrappy defense all night and were able to steal the game thanks to Green, who drained the game winner at the buzzer.
The Suns really couldn’t get it going on offense, but they made up for their poor shooting with extra possessions as they snatched a total of 22 offensive rebounds and forced the Magic into 16 turnovers for the game. Royce O’Neale shot just two of 10 for his six points, while Jalen Green shot just six of 26 from the field.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Suns have won each of their last 14 home games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 13 Sunday night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Suns have covered the spread in 14 of their last 15 games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road games when playing with a rest advantage.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The Trail Blazers have won each of their last 10 games as favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The Suns have lost each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The favorites have covered the spread in eight of the Trail Blazers’ last nine games.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four home games on the second leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last eight games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the last four games between the Trail Blazers and Suns have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Suns have suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q3 this season – led by 18 points vs Hawks on November 16.
- The Suns rank 2nd in the league for steals per game this season (10.1).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (11.0).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.1).
Suns vs Trail Blazers Prediction
The Trail Blazers are still missing Shaedon Sharpe, and they are keeping an eye on Deni Avdija, who is questionable due to lower back injury management, while the Suns have ruled out Devin Booker, Cole Anthony, and Dillon Brooks. The Trail Blazers come into this contest as the team in better shape, but their confidence took a real gut shot after losing by 54 points to the Nuggets in their last outing. In contrast, the Suns have been doing it tough lately as they’ve been dealing with injuries, but they are coming into this one fresh off a thrilling double overtime win. These teams have already met twice this season, with the Suns winning both meetings, but they are playing their second game of a back-to-back set following a double overtime, which isn’t ideal. With that being said, I will lean towards the Trail Blazers to come out swinging after getting embarrassed in their last outing.