Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Blazers - 12/30/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers

Date: Monday, December 30, 2019

Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Portland -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 230

Moda Center is the site where CJ McCollum and the Portland Trail Blazers (14-19, 4th in the Northwest Division) will play the Phoenix Suns (12-20, 3rd in the Pacific Division) on Monday. Portland opens this contest as 5.5 point favorites. The over/under opens at 230.

The Suns are covering 54.8% of the time, having gone 17-14-1 ATS. Portland is covering 41.9% of the time, going 13-18-2 against the spread.

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/28/2019 Deandre Ayton C Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 30

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/28/2019 Mario Hezonja SF Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 30
12/28/2019 Skal Labissiere PF Knee Game Time Decision
12/9/2019 Jusuf Nurkic C Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Feb 15
12/7/2019 Rodney Hood SG Achilles Out for the season
11/12/2019 Zach Collins PF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Mar 15

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker comes into this game averaging 24.7 points per contest while playing 35.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per contest and distributes 6.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is 90%. Kelly Oubre averages 17.4 points per contest in 33.0 minutes per game. He averages 1.7 assists per game and 6.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum scores 22.3 points per contest while playing 36.6 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.4 rebounds per contest and has 3.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Damian Lillard averages 27.0 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 36.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.1 rebounds per game and has 7.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix averages 114.0 points per contest, which is 6th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.0 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 14th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 43.1 boards per contest and 28.3 assists per game, which ranks them 24th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 20th with 14.7 per game. The Suns allow 115.0 points per contest, which is 25th in the NBA. They also surrender a 48% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 27th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.2 rebounds a game which ranks 12th, and they allow 23.9 assists per game which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 16.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 10th in the NBA with 112.5 points per contest this season. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -1.24. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 10th in the league. They are 6th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.4 boards per contest and 30th in assists per game with 19.7. The Blazers are 26th in turnovers per contest with 13.7. The Blazers give up 113.7 points per game, which ranks them 22nd in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 12th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 23.2 dimes allowed per game and 29th with 47.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Blazers are 5th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Suns are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 111.1, and their offensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 19th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 102.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 12th. As a unit they are 10th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA. Phoenix is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 26th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 20th in the NBA. The Blazers are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 111.6, and their offensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 20th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 101.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 19th. As a unit they are 16th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Portland -5.5

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