Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns Predictions, NBA Picks Today 3/6/2020

Game: Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns

Date: Friday, March 6, 2020

Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ

TV: Fox Sports Arizona

Odds/Point Spread: Portland -2

Total/Over-Under: 220

Talking Stick Resort Arena is the venue where Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns (24-38, 4th in the Pacific Division) will take on the Portland Trail Blazers (28-35, 4th in the Northwest Division) on Friday. Portland opens this contest as 2 point favorites. The total opens at 220.

The Blazers are covering the spread 42.6% of the time, having gone 26-35-2 ATS. Phoenix is covering 44.3% of the time, going 27-34-1 against the spread.

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/25/19 PF Zach Collins Shoulder is out indefinitely
12/06/19 SG Rodney Hood Achilles is out indefinitely
10/19/19 C Jusuf Nurkic Leg is out indefinitely
03/03/20 PG Damian Lillard Groin is upgraded to probable Wednesday vs Washington

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

03/04/20 C DeAndre Ayton Ankle is downgraded to doubtful Friday vs Portland
02/27/20 SF Kelly Oubre Jr. Knee is out indefinitely
01/04/20 PF Frank Kaminsky Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum comes into this game averaging 22.5 points per contest while playing 35.9 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 75%. Carmelo Anthony averages 15.5 points per contest in 32.6 minutes per game. He averages 1.5 assists per game and 6.4 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% for the season while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker scores 25.9 points per contest while playing 36.1 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.1 rebounds per contest and has 6.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 92%. Ricky Rubio averages 12.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 31.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.5 rebounds per game and has 8.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averages 113.5 points per contest, which is 8th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 18th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They average 45.6 boards per contest and 20.1 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 27th with 13.0 per game. The Blazers allow 115.1 points per contest, which is 26th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 25th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 47.6 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they allow 24.6 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 12.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 15th in the NBA with 112.0 points per contest this season. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -1.48. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 23rd in the league. They are 24th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.0 boards per contest and 1st in assists per game with 27.1. The Suns are 8th in turnovers per contest with 15.1. The Suns give up 113.5 points per game, which ranks them 20th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 22nd and 23rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 23.8 dimes allowed per game and 9th with 43.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Suns are 27th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 113.8, and their offensive rating of 112.2 is ranked 27th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 20th. 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 16th in the NBA. Portland is 27th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 18th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 11th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 10th in the league. The Suns are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 111.3 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 9th in the league with 101.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 21st. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Portland -2

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