Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions November 2nd 2024

Suns vs Trail Blazers November 2nd 2024

At 10:00 ET, the Portland Trail Blazers (2-4) will travel to take on the Phoenix Suns (4-1) in a Western Conference matchup. The Suns are currently favored by 12.5 points and have a moneyline of -833. The over/under line is set at 224.

This game will be played at the Footprint Center in Phoenix and can be seen on KATU.

Trail Blazers vs. Suns Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns
• Where: Phoenix at Footprint Center
• Date: Saturday, November 2nd
• Betting Odds PHO -12.5, POR +576 | PHO -833 O/U 224

The Trail Blazers Can Win If…

The Trail Blazers fell to 2-4 on the season after a 137-114 home loss to the Thunder on Friday. Portland entered the game as +11.5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 23 points. The total score of 251 points exceeded the O/U line of 220 by 31 points.

After a slow start, trailing 37-24 after the 1st quarter, Portland bounced back in the 2nd, outscoring OKC 44-31. However, the Thunder dominated the 3rd quarter, holding the Blazers to 17 points while scoring 38. Portland entered the 4th quarter down 106-85 and couldn’t mount a comeback, with the Thunder edging them 31-29 in the final period.

In Friday’s loss to the Thunder, the Trail Blazers connected on 15 threes, shooting 42.9% from deep and 47% overall from the field. Jerami Grant led Portland with 17 points, including 9 in the opening quarter.

Rayan Rupert added 14 points, hitting 4 threes at a 57.1% clip, while Deandre Ayton also contributed 14. Dalano Banton scored all 11 of his points in the 4th quarter.

The Trail Blazers struggled defensively on Friday, allowing the Thunder to score 137 points on 53% shooting. Portland gave up 37 points in the 1st quarter and 38 in the 3rd, as Oklahoma City scored at least 31 points in every period.

Portland also allowed 19 threes, with the Thunder shooting 38% from deep. The Trail Blazers sent Oklahoma City to the line 19 times, where they made 16 free throws. Portland finished with 25 defensive rebounds, allowing 14 offensive boards, while adding 8 steals and 5 blocks.

• Although Portland has a straight up record of 2-3 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 100 points per game in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last three games as the underdog, the Trail Blazers have a straight up record of 1-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 1-2.
• Over their last five games, the Trail Blazers have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Suns Can Win If…

The Suns improved to 4-1 on the season with a 125-119 road win over the Clippers on Thursday. Phoenix, favored by 4.5 points, covered the spread, while the teams combined for 244 points, surpassing the O/U line of 220.

After falling behind 37-20 in the 1st quarter, the Suns regrouped, allowing just 23 points in the 3rd while scoring 39. Heading into the 4th down 93-91, Phoenix outscored L.A. 34-26 to close out the game.

In their 137-114 loss to the Thunder, the Trail Blazers shot 47% from the field and made 15 threes at a 42.9% clip. Jerami Grant led the way with 17 points, including 9 in the 1st quarter.

Deandre Ayton and Rayan Rupert added 14 points each, with Rupert hitting 4 threes at 57.1%. Dalano Banton scored all 11 of his points in the 4th quarter.

Despite giving up 37 points in the 1st quarter and 33 in the 2nd, the Suns tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 23 points in the 3rd and 26 in the 4th to help secure the win. Overall, they allowed the Clippers to shoot 48% from the field.

The Suns did a good job defending the three, holding the Clippers to 34% shooting with 12 made threes. They also sent the Clippers to the line 21 times, where they made 17 free throws. Phoenix finished with 12 steals and 4 blocks.

• Although Phoenix has a straight up record of 2-1 in their last three home games, they have not held up as well vs. the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 119 points per game in these games.
• Although the Suns have a strong straight up record in their last three games as the betting favorite, they have not done as well vs the spread going 1-2.
• In their last three games, the Suns have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +12.5, the Trail Blazers is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 224, and our model predicts the Trail Blazers and Suns to score a combined 294 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Daily NBA Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Handicappers

Devin Booker, Suns Aim to Conquer Trail Blazers: A Preview of Saturday’s Showdown

The Phoenix Suns have shown impressive resilience early in the NBA season, facing off against formidable competition and achieving notable results. Having played teams from Los Angeles in four out of their first five games, the Suns now set their sights on overcoming the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night.

Unusual Start to the Season for Phoenix

Under the guidance of new head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Suns have navigated a challenging schedule with great success. Budenholzer, bringing 28 years of NBA experience, expressed surprise at the team’s unusual start to the season.

“It’s been a very strange schedule,” Budenholzer remarked. “It’s hard to beat teams when it’s close in the calendar, like within a week.”

Despite this, the Suns have managed to secure victories in four out of five games, including sweeping the Clippers and splitting a pair with the Lakers. Their other win came against the Dallas Mavericks.

Devin Booker: The Suns’ Offensive Powerhouse

Central to Phoenix’s early success is Devin Booker, who continues to shine as their offensive leader. In Thursday’s 125-119 road victory against the Clippers, Booker erupted for a season-high 40 points. Over the last two games, he has averaged 36.5 points, demonstrating his capability to carry the team during critical moments.

Booker’s consistency and scoring touch have been pivotal as Phoenix navigates its opening stretch against competitive teams.

Bench Contributions: Royce O’Neale Steps Up

Phoenix’s depth was highlighted by Royce O’Neale, who contributed a career-high 21 points off the bench in the win against the Clippers. O’Neale’s performance included an impressive 7-of-8 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 from three-point range.

Head coach Budenholzer acknowledged the surprise surrounding O’Neale’s career-best output. “For that to be his career-high, I agree, a little bit of a surprise,” Budenholzer said. “But watching him through his career, coaches trust him, teammates trust him. He makes winning plays.”

This surge from the bench reflects the team’s balanced approach, an essential trait for sustaining success over a long season.

Injury Watch: Bradley Beal’s Status

Bradley Beal, dealing with an elbow injury, remains listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. Beal has appeared in only three of Phoenix’s first five games, and his availability could impact the game plan against Portland. Budenholzer noted that Beal participated in light shooting during Friday’s practice session, hinting at a potential return but not confirming his status.

Portland Trail Blazers’ Struggles and Challenges

Portland arrives in Phoenix following a tough start to their season, with a 2-4 record that underscores their inconsistencies. The Blazers’ most recent outing was a heavy 137-114 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking their 13th consecutive defeat against that opponent.

A standout moment from that game was Portland’s strong second-quarter rally to tie the score at 68 by halftime, only to falter in the third quarter, where they were outscored 38-17. A series of 12 turnovers in that stretch proved costly, leading to 19 points for Oklahoma City.

Portland coach Chauncey Billups voiced his frustration: “We fought our butts off to get it back in the second quarter… We started the third quarter pretty good, but then we had 12 turnovers. Just deflating plays.”

Key Player Performances for Portland

Jerami Grant led the Blazers with 17 points, while Deandre Ayton and Rayan Rupert each added 14. Notably, Ayton, who previously played for Phoenix, had only five rebounds and missed out on a double-double for the first time this season. This highlighted potential challenges in maintaining a strong presence under the basket.

Anfernee Simons had a difficult night, shooting just 1-of-8 from the field and scoring nine points. Although he experienced an injury scare with a fall on his elbow, Billups downplayed the severity of the issue post-game.

Emerging Talent: Toumani Camara’s Development

Second-year forward Toumani Camara posted a season-high 13 points against the Thunder, showing growth with three made three-pointers. His 52.6% shooting from behind the arc (10-of-19) early in the season marks significant progress compared to his rookie year when he shot 33.7%.

“Just learning my role and a lot of work,” Camara commented post-game. “All summer, it was a big emphasis for me to knock down shots more consistently.”

The Matchup Outlook

Phoenix’s strong start and depth suggest an advantage heading into the game against Portland. The Suns’ balanced approach, led by Booker’s scoring and bolstered by contributions from players like O’Neale, could prove decisive, especially if Beal returns to the lineup. Budenholzer’s leadership and strategic planning continue to elevate the Suns as a formidable Western Conference contender.

Portland’s focus will need to be on reducing turnovers and maintaining consistency throughout all four quarters. Strong performances from players like Grant, Ayton, and the improving Camara are crucial if they hope to compete against a high-caliber Suns team.

Final Thoughts

The Suns, equipped with momentum and leadership from Booker and Budenholzer, aim to extend their winning ways against a Blazers team searching for stability and answers. For Portland, minimizing mistakes and building on positive moments will be essential to making the game competitive. If Phoenix maintains their recent form, they have a strong chance to secure another victory in front of their home crowd.

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