Portland Blazers at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 10/18/2017

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Portland Blazers travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to play the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 3 point favorites.

The Blazers come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 41-41. They were 3rd in the Northwest Division. They had a point differential of -0.6 as they averaged 107.9 points per game while giving up 108.5 per contest. The Suns had an overall mark of 24-58 last year. They were 5th in the Pacific Division. They averaged 107.7 points per contest and gave up 113.3, which was a point differential of -5.6.

Valuable Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers were 40-42-0 against the spread last season

The Portland Blazers were 45-37-0 against the over/under last year

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns were 40-39-3 against the spread last season

The Phoenix Suns were 49-32-1 against the over/under last year

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

10/14/17 G C.J. McCollum Suspension OUT Wednesday vs. Phoenix (1-game suspension)
10/03/17 F Noah Vonleh Shoulder out indefinitely

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

10/14/17 PG Brandon Knight Knee out for season
10/14/17 F TJ Warren Back probable Wednesday vs. Portland

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard comes into this contest after averaging 27 points per game while playing 35.9 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 4.9 rebounds per game and dished out 5.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 44% while his free throw percentage finished at 90%. C.J. McCollum averaged 23 points per game in 35 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 3.6 assists per contest and 3.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 48% for the year while his free throw percentage was 91%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Bledsoe averaged 21.1 points per game while playing 33 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 4.8 rebounds per game and had 6.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 43% and his free throw percentage was at 85%. Devin Booker averaged 22.1 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 35 minutes per contest. He also averaged 3.2 rebounds per contest and 3.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 42% and his free throw percentage was 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averaged 107.9 points per contest last season, which ranked them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was -0.52 and their shooting percentage was 46% as a team, which had them ranked 14th. Behind the arc they shot 38% which was good for 7th in the league. They averaged 43.7 rebounds per game and 21.1 assists per game, which ranked them 14th and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 17th with 13.7 per game. The Blazers allowed 108.5 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 25th in the league. They also allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 44 rebounds a game which ranked 18th and they gave up 20.6 assists per contest, which put them in 4th place in the league. They forced 12.8 turnovers per game which ranked them 5th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix was 9th in the league with 107.7 points per game last year. They were 21st in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin was -5.63. They shot 33% from 3-point range, which was good for 27th in the NBA. They were 6th in the league in rebounding with 45 boards per game, and 29th in assists per contest with 19.6. The Suns were 4th in turnovers per game with 15.4. The Suns surrendered 113.3 points per contest, which ranked them 30th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 26th and 30th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 10th with 22.2 assists allowed per contest and 17th with 44 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns were 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers were 11th in the league in defensive rating with 110.8, and their offensive rating of 110.3 was ranked 7th. They were 14th in the NBA in pace with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% was 11th. As a unit they were 12th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA. Portland was 18th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 51%, which was 20th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix was 6th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 53%, which was 6th in the league. The Suns were 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.6, and their defensive rating of 112.2 was ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they were 2nd in the league with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% was 26th. As a team they were 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Blazers/Suns NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Phoenix +3

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