The Phoenix Suns (11-38) welcome the Portland Trail Blazers (29-20) to Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns look to put an end to their five-game losing streak. Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 24, 2019, and can be seen on Fox Sports – Arizona.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds
Both teams failed to cover as underdogs in their last matchup. The Trail Blazers (4-point underdogs) were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 123-114, while the Suns (4-point underdogs) fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 118-91. The Portland game finished 13 points over the projected point total of 224, while the Phoenix game went 23.5 points under the projected point total of 232.5.
Portland had an offensive rebounding percentage of 41.7 (above their season average of 25.0) while Phoenix had a better turnover percentage (12.0 vs. 11.2). Phoenix was led by Josh Jackson, who recorded 27 points and 10 rebounds. Damian Lillard played a pivotal role for Portland with 34 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Lillard led the Trail Blazers to a 108-86 win. He was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points. Portland covered as a 13-point favorite and the two teams combined to score 194 points, which was well under the projected point total of 210.5. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Portland’s largest advantages. They made 27 trips to the line, while Phoenix went just 14 times.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Trail Blazers games, with 26 unders compared to 23 overs. Portland holds records of 29-20 straight up (SU) and 26-23 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas tends to set the total high when the Suns are involved, as 55.1 percent of their games have finished under the O/U total. Further, Phoenix owns records of 11-38 SU and 22-27 ATS.
It could be a tough game for Phoenix on the offensive glass. The Suns are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 27th in offensive rebounding percentage at 20.4 percent. Meanwhile, Portland ranks eighth in the league at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 78.2 percent.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Suns rank 16th in blocks per game (5.1) while the Trail Blazers rank 20th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
- Portland ranks second in rebounds per game (48.1) while Phoenix ranks 29th (40.1).
- The Trail Blazers rank fourth in second chance points per game (14.8) while the Suns rank 29th in second chance points allowed per game (14.7).
- Portland ranks eighth in points allowed in the paint per game (47.0) while Phoenix ranks 27th (52.0).
- Phoenix ranks 13th in fast break points per game (14.1) while Portland ranks 21st in fast break points allowed per game (14.3).
- The Suns rank second in steals per game (9.1) while the Trail Blazers rank 28th (6.5).
- The Trail Blazers rank ninth in assists allowed per game (23.3) while the Suns rank 26th (25.8).
- Portland ranks third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.5) while Phoenix ranks 28th (19.7).
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Phoenix is 4-1 and Portland is 8-1.
- The Trail Blazers are 28-15 when they score over 100 points, while the Suns are 10-23.
- Portland is 9-13 ATS on the road, while Phoenix is 11-14 ATS at home.
- The Trail Blazers have 11 overs and 11 unders in 22 road games.
- The Suns have 15 unders and 10 overs in 25 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Portland and Phoenix have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Trail Blazers are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Suns are 2-3.
- The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.2, up from 2.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 105.2 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 122.2 points per game (7.1 above their season average).
