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Suns vs Trail Blazers Odds and Picks

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball

Updated Mar 10, 2021 · 9:05 PM PST

Carmelo Anthony and Damian Lillard in warmups laughing
Carmelo Anthony, Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers host the Phoenix Suns Thursday. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
  • Suns visit Trail Blazers in a battle of top-5 teams in the West
  • Phoenix has won four in a row; Portland has reeled off three straight wins
  • Check the odds, analysis and betting preview below

The Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers both had it cookin’ heading into the All-Star break. We’ll see who can resume their hot streak when they meet in the Desert Thursday night.

The Suns reeled off four straight wins and seven of their last eight to surge into second place in the West, trailing the Utah Jazz by just 2.5 games in the standings. They’re a 2.5-point road favorite when they open the second half in Portland.

Suns vs Trail Blazers Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Phoenix Suns -2.5 (-110) -136 TBD
Portland Trail Blazers +2.5 (-110) +116 TBD

Odds from FanDuel taken March 10. Tip-off is Thursday at 10pm ET

The Blazers had to be pleased with an exceptional first half, all things considered. Missing three starters for an extended stretch, Damian Lillard has led the way with a supporting cast punching up a level. Portland ended the first half on a three-game win streak, fifth in the West with a 24-11 mark.

Paul and Book Getting it Done

Considered one of the greatest leaders in NBA history, Chris Paul continues to just win wherever he goes, with his last two stops arguably his best. Paul dragged an unheralded OKC squad to a 5-seed and a playoff berth last season. This year, with a more talented roster, Paul has the Suns skipping past just making the playoffs — a place they haven’t been since 2010 — to consideration as a serious title contender.

He’s flanked by superstar-on-the-cusp Devin Booker. Book missed out on an all-star appearance to rest a knee injury, and while he’s listed as questionable, all signs point to him being ready Thursday night.

He’s averaging 24.9 points on 49.6% shooting, to go along with 4.4 assists and 3.6 rebounds. He was also a monster in the first meeting between these teams on Feb 22, scoring 34 points on 12-for-17 shooting, adding four rebounds and four assists.

Phoenix has really rounded into form since Feb 1. Their offensive rating is a sizzling 119.8, just behind the Brooklyn Nets. But they’ve also been getting it done at both ends, delivering the eighth-best defensive rating over that stretch.

Lillard and Co Hang Tough

Perhaps, we might just be able to see what Portland can do at full strength. In the meantime, we’re left to marvel at the heights Dame Lillard can raise his team to with his play.

Take the first-half finale against Sacramento, where Lillard refused to let his team falter. He finished with a game-high 44 points, powered by an 8-for-15 performance from beyond the arc. He also added seven assists and, most importantly, zero turnovers.

His all-star game long-bombing was ridiculously next-level, but even that type of marksmanship pales in comparison to how he’s getting it done with entire gameplans meant to stop him this season.

His play has an infectious effect on his teammates, who are trying to make up for injuries that have shelved CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins for long periods. All three will not be available for Thursday.

Enes Kanter has kept their frontcourt viable, punctuated by his 22-point, 21-rebound showing in SacTo. Carmelo Anthony has settled into that reliable veteran scoring presence, Gary Trent Jr has raised his game to fill that backcourt space role beside Dame and Robert Covington and Rodney Hood have brought two-way play at the wing spots.

Portland ranks 28th in defensive rating, but led by Lillard, Portland carries a hefty seventh-place offensive rating. They’ve gotten just enough stops to outscore their defensive problems.

What’s the Best Bet?

Assuming Booker is in the lineup, this should be advantage Phoenix. But coming out of the all-star break, it’s hard to predict how a team performs in Game 1. The Suns’ ability to defend may be the difference maker. Lillard is going to get his (he scored 24 in the first meeting), but look for the Suns’ scheme to force others to take tougher shots than they’re accustomed to.

While it’s always hard to bet against Dame time, look for Paul to navigate the Suns to another W.

The pick: Suns -2.5 (-110)

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