Phoenix Suns at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/6/2018

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Phoenix Suns travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Thursday, December 6, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 14 point favorites.

The Suns have a record of 4-20. They are 5th in the Pacific Division. They have a point differential of -11.0 as they average 103.0 points per game while giving up 114.0 per contest. The Blazers have an overall mark of 13-11. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They total 112.5 points per contest and give up 111.7, which is a point differential of 0.8.

Valuable Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 8-15-0 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 9-14-0 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 11-12-0 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 14-9-0 against the over/under

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/05/18 G Devin Booker Hamstring is out indefinitely
12/05/18 SF TJ Warren Ankle is questionable Thursday vs Portland

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Josh Jackson comes into this contest averaging 8.2 points per game while playing 19.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 63%. Mikal Bridges averages 6.8 points per game in 22.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 2.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard averages 27.3 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 6.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 90%. CJ McCollum averages 21.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix averages 103.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -11.0 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 39.9 rebounds per game and 23.5 assists per game, which ranks them 29th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 16.2 per game. The Suns allow 114.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 28th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.9 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 25.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 10th in the league with 112.5 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 0.8. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 49.1 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 20.7. The Blazers are 14th in turnovers per game with 14.3. The Blazers surrender 111.7 points per contest, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 28th in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 24.1 assists allowed per contest and 13th with 44.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 1st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 11.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Suns are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103.2, and their defensive rating of 114.2 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 20th. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league. Phoenix is 2nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 4th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 15th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Blazers are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 111.5, and their offensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 20th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 11th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Phoenix +14

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald