The Portland Trail Blazers (14-19) meet the Phoenix Suns (12-20) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game will air on NBATV at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, December 30, 2019.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 231 points with Portland set as a 4-point favorite.
Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers Free Prediction
The Suns will be hoping for a similar outcome after just getting past the Sacramento Kings in their last matchup, 112-110, as 2.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (222) finished over the O/U total of 217. Phoenix’s 21.6 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Sacramento, who had a rate of 17.5. The Suns’ mark was above their season average of 20.9, while the Kings’ was below their season average of 23.4. Phoenix was lifted by Devin Booker, who was the game’s leading scorer with 32 points on 14-for-23 shooting.
The last time the Trail Blazers were in action, they were beaten by the Los Angeles Lakers, 128-120. They were unable to cover as 5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (248) finished well over the projected point total of 224. Los Angeles’ 8.0 turnover percentage was the team’s largest strength over Portland, who had a rate of 14.0. The Lakers’ mark was better than their season average of 13.2. Damian Lillard put together a good performance for Portland, leading both teams in scoring with 31 points on 7-for-17 shooting.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. CJ McCollum scored a game-high 30 points in the first matchup, in which the Trail Blazers beat the Suns 111-110 but did not cover as 2.5-point favorites. He also recorded seven rebounds and six assists. The game finished with a total of 221 points, which was 6 points below the projected point total of 227 points. One of Portland’s biggest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 17-20 (85.0 percent), while the Suns were 16-19 (84.2 percent).
Phoenix comes into the contest with records of 12-20 straight up (SU) and 17-14-1 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Suns have a tendency to finish over the O/U total (59.4 percent).
Meanwhile, Portland owns records of 14-19 SU and 13-18-2 ATS. Of the Trail Blazers’ 33 games, 16 have finished over the total.
Second-chance points might be hard to find for Portland in this contest. The Trail Blazers rank 20th in offensive rebounding percentage (22.0 percent), while Phoenix ranks fifth in defensive rebounding percentage (78.9 percent).
Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Phoenix is 8-6 ATS on the road with 8 unders and 6 overs.
Portland is 6-9-1 ATS at home with 9 overs and 7 unders.
In contests where they allow less than 100 points, Portland is 3-0 and Phoenix is 2-2.
The Trail Blazers are 14-14 when they score above 100 points, while the Suns are 12-16.
Phoenix ranks first in assists per game (28.3) while Portland ranks 29th (19.7).
The Trail Blazers rank second in blocks per game (6.6) while the Suns rank 28th (3.6).
Phoenix ranks third in points off turnovers per game (19.1) while Portland ranks 29th (14.1).
The Suns rank ninth in points in the paint per game (48.4) while the Trail Blazers rank last (43.2).
Phoenix ranks 12th in rebounds allowed per game (45.2) while Portland ranks 28th (47.8).
The Suns rank 14th in second chance points allowed per game (13.0) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (15.7).
Phoenix ranks 14th in steals per game (7.9) while Portland ranks 28th (6.0).
The Suns rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (31.5) while the Trail Blazers rank 18th (34.2).
Phoenix averages 14.1 fast break points per game, which ranks 11th in the league. Portland ranks 15th in fast break points allowed per game (13.0).
Over its last five contests, Phoenix is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Portland is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.2, up from 1.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 112.0 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.0 points per game (1.7 below their season average).
