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The Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The game will broadcast live on KUNP, and can be traded on Kalshi.
The Blazers are 2.5-point favorites over the Suns on the spread, with the over/under set at 231.5 total points. The Blazers are the preferred trading option, while the Suns will be looking to pull off an upset.
Let's get into my Suns vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, October 21.
Suns vs Trail Blazers Prediction
- Suns vs Trail Blazers trade: Under 231.5 (52 cents)
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Suns vs Trail Blazers Odds
Suns vs Trail Blazers NBA Preview
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview: A Defensive Calling Card
The Suns are still going to be a defensive-minded team under Jordan Ott. That was their entire calling card last season, and I see absolutely no reason why their offense would magically be vastly improved this year to justify massive totals.
Yes, Devin Booker will shoot more, but I don't know if that inherently leads to a better, high-efficiency offense over a full 48 minutes.
In the preseason, the Suns ranked 21st in offensive rating and played at a bottom-10 pace. There are zero warning signs from a script perspective to suggest Phoenix wants to run up and down the floor.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview: Preseason Mirages
I understand Damian Lillard is back in Portland, but we have to look at the reality of this roster. The recurring story out of the preseason was simply that their secondary guys cannot shoot.
While the Blazers had the fifth-highest offensive rating and the number two defense in the preseason, we have to remember they played the London Lions—who got absolutely destroyed by 39.5 points.
If you want to feel good about your professional basketball team, schedule a team from Great Britain.
Both of these teams ranked in the bottom eight in preseason pace. This game has "rock fight" written all over it.
Suns vs Trail Blazers Pick, Betting Analysis
What on earth is this line? When I first looked at the board, this was the first number that completely jumped off the page at me.
Based on last year's data and current pace metrics, my model makes this total 221. I cannot find any sort of schematic or mathematical justification for an 11-point differential to push this up to 231.5.
I am making this my three-star best bet of the night.
Suns vs Trail Blazers trade: Under 231.5 (52 cents, Kalshi)
