Day 1 of the play-in tournament will see the Phoenix Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers as one of the two clashes. The winner of Tuesday’s contest will advance to the playoffs as the #7 seed, setting a first-round matchup against the #2 San Antonio Spurs.
The Blazers-Suns clash is set to tip off at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT). The live telecast will be available on Prime Video. Fans can watch the contest via livestream on NBA League Pass and Fubo TV (restrictions may apply).
Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns Odds
Moneyline: Blazers (+135) vs Suns (-160)
Spread: Blazers +3.5 (-109) vs Suns -3.5 (-111)
Total (O/U): O217.5 (-107) vs U217.5 (-110)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed are based on available information at the time of publication.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns Preview and Prediction
The Portland Trail Blazers closed the regular season on a strong note, going 10-4 over the final four weeks. That late push helped them climb out of the 9-10 range and secure the 8th spot in the Western Conference standings.
In contrast, the Phoenix Suns struggled down the stretch. A 6-10 finish cost them a direct playoff berth and dropped them to 7th in the West, meaning they now have to go through the play-in tournament.
The two teams faced each other three times during the season, with Phoenix clinching the series 2-1.
The Suns won the first two matchups 127-110 and 130-125 on Nov. 18 and Feb. 3, respectively. In those games, Collin Gillespie surprisingly stood out as their top performer, averaging 24.5 points and 8.0 assists. Mark Williams also made a big impact, chiming in with 19.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Portland responded in the third meeting on Feb. 22 with a convincing 92-77 win. Donovan Clingan led the way with a dominant 23-point, 13-rebound performance. Jerami Grant added 23 points, while Toumani Camara contributed a solid double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in a low-scoring affair.
Even though Phoenix won the season series, their star duo of Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks had lackluster performances in those games. If they step up and play at their usual level, the Suns should have the edge. They also benefit from playing at home, where they posted a strong 25-16 record in the regular season. Portland, on the other hand, had a tougher time on the road with an 18-23 away record.
Prediction: Expect the Suns to win by 7 points.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns Injury Reports
Portland Trail Blazers
- Jerami Grant – Game time decision
- Damian Lillard – Out for season
Phoenix Suns
- Grayson Allen – Game time decision
Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns Starting Lineups
Portland Trail Blazers
PG: Jrue Holiday, SG: Toumani Camara, SF: Deni Avdija, PF: Jerami Grant, C: Donovan Clingan
Phoenix Suns
PG: Devin Booker, SG: Jalen Green, SF: Jordan Goodwin, PF: Dillon Brooks, C: Mark Williams
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