The Portland Trail Blazers (27-30) and Phoenix Suns (33-24) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The game will broadcast live on KUNP.
The Blazers are 3.5-point favorites over the Suns on the spread (Trail Blazers -3.5), with the over/under set at 222.5 total points. Portland is a -162 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Phoenix is +136 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Trail Blazers vs. Suns predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, February 22.
Trail Blazers vs Suns Prediction
- Trail Blazers vs Suns pick: Jalen Green Under 24.5 Points (-122)
My Suns vs Trail Blazers best bet is on Jalen Green to score under 24.5 points in this game. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Trail Blazers vs Suns Odds
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 222.5 -114o / -106u | -162 |
| Suns Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 222.5 -114o / -106u | +136 |
Trail Blazers vs Suns NBA Preview
With a mark of 27-30, which is only good enough for 10th in the Western Conference, the Portland Trail Blazers are in a bit of a no man's land at the moment.
Not good enough to contend for a top playoff spot and not bad enough to be in the running for one of the lottery picks of what should be a loaded draft class.
However, the Trail Blazers are desperate to get back to winning ways after missing the playoffs altogether in each of the last four years.
Portland was relatively quiet at the trade deadline, suggesting the front office is content to see things out for the rest of the season with this current crop of players.
As a result, it's only normal that there'd be a few bumps along the road.
Friday's lopsided 157-103 defeat at home to Denver would certainly qualify as one of those setbacks during a stretch when the Trail Blazers entered the game as winners of four of their last five.
Yet this is one of those rare occasions when the bookmakers installed Portland as a road favorite. Against opponents with a record of .500 or better in this spot, the Trail Blazers are 1-2 against the spread.
Sunday's matchup against the Suns should be an opportunity to bounce back, considering Phoenix is playing its second game in as many nights after needing two overtimes to get past Orlando (113-110).
Moreover, the Suns will be without their two leading scorers, Devin Booker (24.7 PPG) and Dillon Brooks (21.2 PPG), due to injuries.
Interestingly, teams are 54-54-6 against the spread when on short rest after a game that went at least two overtimes.
Despite missing two key players, I suspect the Suns still have the better roster as they've won seven of the last 10 meetings in this series.
Nevertheless, there are enough extenuating circumstances on both teams to keep me off either side in this matchup.
A better option might be to target a player prop in a game that could yield fewer points than expected.
Trail Blazers vs Suns Prediction, Betting Analysis
Whenever a team's coming off a blowout loss, you can expect their defense to be a major talking point heading into their next game.
That reasoning should stack up in this game with a fatigued Suns team.
While my initial thought was to side with the Trail Blazers, I can't bring myself to fully commit to them.
An alternative way of backing Portland would be fading a player on the Suns.
Given the unavailability of Booker and Brooks, the bookmakers have set a points prop of 24.5 for Suns guard Jalen Green.
It's worth noting that Green has only featured in eight games, starting three, after missing the majority of the season with a right hamstring injury and a left hip contusion.
The former second overall pick played over 30 minutes (37) for the first time this campaign, and his career-worst 38.3% field goal percentage suggests there are still signs of rust in his game.
If not for the two overtime periods, I'm fairly confident the Suns' medical staff wouldn't have wanted Green anywhere near the court for that length of time.
Lastly, should the Trail Blazers get the upper hand and take a commanding lead, there's a scenario in which the Suns decide not to bring Green back into the game.
A lot would have to go right for Green to exceed this prop line, but given the unique spot, the under warrants some strong consideration.
Action PRO projects him for just 20.96 points tonight.
Pick: Jalen Green Under 24.5 Points (-122, FanDuel)
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread.
Moneyline
I will pass on the moneyline for this game.
Over/Under
My Trail Blazers vs. Suns betting prediction is Jalen Green under 24.5 points at -122.
Suns vs Trail Blazers Betting Trends
