The Phoenix Suns play host to the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Play-In Tournament game on Tuesday 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 are heading into the postseason with some momentum as they’ve won 10 of their last 14 games to finish with a 42-40 overall record. In the Trail Blazers’ last game of the regular season, they ran past the Kings in a 122-110 home win thanks to a balanced scoring effort with all their starters contributing. Deni Avdija led the team with 25 points and 10 assists on nine of 19 shooting; Jrue Holiday added 23 points with seven rebounds and three assists, while Scoot Henderson and Tounami Camara each scored 15 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 47 percent from the field and 16 of 46 from the 3-point line as they got off to a flyer and dominated the second quarter by 44-24 to lead by as many as 20 points before they cruised in the fourth quarter and pulled some starters early.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns stumbled their way into the postseason as they split their last 12 games, but they have a bit of momentum with them as they capped off the regular season with a 135-103 road win over the shorthanded Thunder on Sunday. Jamaree Bouyea led the team with 27 points and nine assists on 12 of 23 shooting; Ryan Dunn and Koby Brea each scored 20 points; Khaman Muluach scored 18 points, while Amir Coffey chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Suns shot 55 percent from the field and 20 of 41 from the 3-point line as they swarmed the depleted Thunder from the start and outscored them by 37-19 in the first quarter and they were ruthless as they kept their foot on the gas pedal in the second half to secure one of their more dominant wins of the season.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Trail Blazers have lost 15 of their last 16 games at Mortgage Matchup Center following a home win.
- The home team has won each of the Trail Blazers’ last five games.
- The Suns have covered the spread in each of their last four games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games at Mortgage Matchup Center following a home win.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The Suns have lost each of their last six home games against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Trail Blazers have won each of their last six games against Pacific Division opponents following a win.
- The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Suns’ last 12 games as home favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Trail Blazers’ last eight games at Mortgage Matchup Center have gone UNDER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Donovan Clingan ranks 1st in the league for second-chance points (339) this season.
- Deni Avdija has scored 25+ points in six consecutive appearances—the longest active streak of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Suns have suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q3 this season—led by 18 points vs. the Hawks on November 16.
- The Suns rank 30th in the league for Q4 points per game this season (25.8).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (10.8).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for turnovers per game this season (17.3).
Suns vs Trail Blazers Prediction
The Trail Blazers are still shorthanded with Damian Lillard out and Jerami Grant listed as a game-time decision, while the Suns are keeping an eye on Mark Williams, Royce O’Neale, Jalen Green and Jordan Goodwin, who are all listed as day-to-day. These teams met three times in the regular season, with the Suns winning the season series by 2-1, but the Trail Blazers dominated the last meeting by 92-77 back on Feb 22. I get why the Suns are slight favorites at home in this matchup, but the Trail Blazers head into this contest with a bit more momentum right now and I think they can pull off the upset on the road, so I will happily take them with the points in this spot.