The Suns have lost two games in a row while still attempting to get the first seed, while the Blazers are still fighting to ensure their place in the top six. Can Portland get the one crucial win that they need to guarantee their safety from the play-in tournament, or will the Suns make headway into their race with the Jazz?
Catch this game live on Friday, May 14, at 10 AM, Manila time
HOME TEAM: Phoenix Suns (48-21, 26-9 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Chris Paul
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Jae Crowder
- C: DeAndre Ayton
The Suns have certainly picked the wrong time to find themselves in a mini-slump. With the first seed still to play for, they had winnable games against the Lakers and Warriors and came up short. Defense was a major issue in both of those defeats, as they allowed their opponents to average 122.5 points.
They’ll have to figure out things on the defensive end, because you do not want the allow the likes of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum to get going. The Blazers have offensive talent besides those two, as well, including Carmelo Anthony who is always a consistent scorer off the bench.
They’re not playing terribly on the offensive end, averaging 113 points in their last two losses with a 52.6 FG% and 43.5 3P%. They’ll have to cut down on the turnovers, though, as they’re averaging 13 TOV in the last couple of games.
Devin Booker, who’s averaging 27.5 PPG in that same span, will need to be aggressive and attack all game. Mikal Bridges has barely been able to buy a bucket from beyond the arc recently, and if he rights the ship on that end the Suns will have a much easier time.
Phoenix have are 7-3 ATS in their last ten home games. They’re also hit the over 7 out of the last 10 home games.
ROAD TEAM: Portland Trail Blazers (41-29, 22-13 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Damian Lillard
- SG: CJ McCollum
- SF: Norman Powell
- PF: Robert Covington
- C: Jusuf Nurkic
The Blazers have gone supernova in their last ten games with a 9-1 record. They’re riding a five-game winning streak and are firing on all cylinders while they try to ensure that they avoid the play-in tournament.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have been playing insane offense in their current five-win streak. They are scoring a combined 55.2 points per game. It certainly has been Dame Time to close out the season, and he’s shooting 55.4% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The man lives for the big moments and tomorrow qualifies as one of those.
They’re also getting a scoring boost from Norman Powell (18 PPG), Jusuf Nurkic (15 PPG) and Carmelo Anthony (12.3 PPG) during this streak.
Portland are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 away games. They’re 4-1-5 with the over/under in that span.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread:
The Blazers have a lot more to lose if they fall to Phoenix tomorrow. I think the Blazers will pull off the upset and cover the +5.5 spread.
Over/Under:
The Blazers are averaging 125 points in their last 10 games, while the Suns are averaging 118.1 points. Tomorrow should be an offensive showcase from both teams. Take the Over 231.
