Portland Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns - 12/16/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns

Date: Monday, December 16, 2019

Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ

TV: Fox Sports Arizona

Odds/Point Spread: Phoenix -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Kelly Oubre and the Phoenix Suns (11-14, 4th in the Pacific Division) host the Portland Trail Blazers (10-16, 5th in the Northwest Division) at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Monday, December 16, 2019. Phoenix opens this game as 1.5 point favorites. The O/U opens at 224.

The Blazers cover the spread 44.0% of the time, having gone 11-14-1 ATS. Phoenix covers the spread 58.3% of the time, going 14-10-1 against the spread.

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

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

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/14/2019 Devin Booker SG Forearm Game Time Decision
12/13/2019 Cameron Johnson SF Hip Game Time Decision
12/13/2019 Aron Baynes C Calf Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum averages 21.4 points per game in 36.2 minutes per contest. He averages 3.7 assists per contest and 4.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%. Damian Lillard comes into this contest averaging 26.3 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 91%.

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker averages 25.0 points per game and he sees the court an average of 35.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 6.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 90%. Kelly Oubre averages 17.4 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.3 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Blazers allow 114.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.3 rebounds a game which ranks 29th, and they give up 22.9 assists per contest which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 13.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 4th in the league. Portland averages 112.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.0 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 46.3 rebounds per game and 20.2 assists per contest, which ranks them 8th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 13.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Suns surrender 114.3 points per contest, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 24.1 assists allowed per contest, and 25th with 46.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 29th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 17.0 per game. Phoenix is 5th in the league with 115.5 points per game this year. They are 11th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 1.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They are 25th in the league in rebounding with 43.1 boards per game and 1st in assists per contest with 28.4. The Suns are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.8, and their defensive rating of 111.8 is ranked 21st. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 101.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 20th. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league. Portland is 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 26th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA. The Suns are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 109.7, and their offensive rating of 110.9 is ranked 17th. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 102.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 10th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Portland +1.5

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