Tip off: 10 PM EST
Spread: POR -9.5
Total: 193.5
M/L: POR -550, PHO +450
Things have been pretty bad for the Suns. As losers of their last two games, the Suns are now 6-11 on the season, and surprisingly Nash hasn’t demanded a trade. Surely, the Suns must realize at this point that rebuilding is the only option, and cutting ties with Nash and obtaining some young talent and a draft pick seems like the prudent thing to do. They lost their last matchup Tuesday night against the Raptors, but Marcin Gortat had another monster game. Gortat has cited Steve Nash for his improvement, and the “Polish Hammer” is now averaging 15.4 points per game and 9.9 boards, and he is also blocking nearly two shots a game. Gortat and Nash are really the only hope for the Suns, and they’ll look to run the pick and roll as much as possible.
The Blazers sit at 11-8, and are a bit disappointed. After losing their top players due to major injuries, as Roy retired and Oden is perpetually injured, the Blazers still find themselves one of the more talented teams in the league, but Blazers fans expected a team that would be in contention by this point and injuries have derailed that possibilty. They lost to the Warriors by 8 on Wednesday night, though LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews combined for 33 points and Marcus Camby grabbed 16 boards in only 23 minutes of play.
Suns Betting Trends:
Phoenix is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6. The Suns are 2-7 SU in their last 9 games and they are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Blazers Betting Trends:
The Total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland’s last 7 games and they are 8-1 SU in their last 9 home games. The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the Blazers’ last 9 games against the Suns and they are 6-2 SU in their last 8 at home against the Suns.
Key Matchup:
Marcus Camby / LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Markieff Morris / Hakim Warrick / Marcin Gortat
Aldridge clearly gives the Blazers an advantage here on the front line, and the ageless wonder that is Marcus Camby continues to block shots and pull down rebounds like he is still in his 20s. The Suns feature the younger lineup with Morris a rookie and Gortat still only 27. Hakim Warrick is also still a solid reserve and is capable of putting up points and finishing strong. Still, I don’t see any way the Suns can contain Aldridge who is putting up a career high 22.5 points per game. He has scored 20 or more in all but 6 of the Blazers’ game and has had two games with 30+. Tonight very well could be his third.
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