Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers Odds & Pick 12/14/21

Phoenix Suns (21-4 SU, 13-12-0 ATS) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (11-16 SU, 10-16-1 ATS)

When: Tuesday, Dec. 14th, 2021, 10:00 pm (ET)

Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV: TNT

Point Spread: PHX -2.5/POR +2.5 (Opened at 2.5 at BetNow – Deposit $100 to $1000 and get a 100% REAL CASH bonus! The BEST promo from a legit online sportsbook!)

Total: 218 (Opened at X)

Money Line: PHX -140/POR +120

Power Rating: PHX -4

Probable Starting Lineups

Phoenix Suns: PG Chris Paul, SG Landry Shamet, SF Mikal Bridges, PF Jae Crowder, C Javale McGee

Portland Trail Blazers: PG Damian Lillard, SF Nassir Little, SF Norman Powell, PF Larry Nance Jr., C Jusuf Nurkic

Key Injuries

Phoenix Suns: F Jalen Smith *Out* (Illness), C Deandre Ayton *Out* (Illness), G Devin Booker *Out* (Hamstring), F Abdel Nader *Out* (Knee), F Frank Kaminsky *Out* (Knee), F Dario Saric *Out* (Knee)

Portland Trail Blazers: C Cody Zeller *Out* (Quad), G C.J. McCollum *Out* (Lung), G Damian Lillard *Probable* (Abdomen)

Recent Form

After the Phoenix Suns’ 18 game win streak was snapped last week, they went back to work. Phoenix won their next two games but fell short once again last night to the Clippers 111-95. The team has been on a scoring slump without Devin Booker in the lineup, being held under 100 points of offense in three of their last four games. The Suns will be without Booker once again on Tuesday. Despite missing the last five games, Booker leads the team in scoring with 23.2 PPG. After being in the top 3 scoring teams for most of the season, Phoenix has since fallen to 8th in the NBA, scoring 110.5 PPG. The Suns defense has remained the same, with the 8th best scoring defense at 104.7 PPG. The team’s 6.1-point differential is also 3rd best in the NBA.

After an impressive start to the season, the Portland Trail Blazers have seen a total collapse, falling to 11-16 and losers of eight of their last ten games. In fact, Portland hasn’t found themselves in the win column since Nov. 30th, just over two weeks ago. Their last game against Minnesota was their closest chance to a win since their skid, but they haven’t been able to get their scoring and defense to show up on the same night. There was a light at the end of the tunnel with Lillard’s return from injury, but in exchange, they lost C.J. McCollum to a collapsed lung with no timetable for his return. Lillard leads the team in scoring with 21.6 PPG and leads in assists at 7.7 per game as well. The Portland offense ranks 13th in the league at 108.3 PPG and ranks 25th in defense, allowing 111.2 PPG.

Pace of Play

Pace of play in this matchup will feature two of the league’s faster offenses. Given that Phoenix is without Booker, I expected to see a slower pace the past week with Paul running the point more, but they’ve kept their normal pace and even increased it on the road. As for the Portland Trail Blazers, they’ve averaged outside the top 15 for pace for the season, but in their last three games, they’ve been one of the top 5 fastest teams. This is due to them being without McCollum and Lillard by being forced to play up to the pace of other teams and trying to match them offensively. I see much of the same in this one, with the Suns being the better team, despite missing a few players of their own. The Suns offense should get out to an early lead and set the pace, forcing Portland into some early shots from range to make up some ground.

Suns Hanging on Without Booker

After Devin Booker was sidelined with a hamstring injury, a big question mark was how this Phoenix team would respond. Though a small sample size, the team has kept pace with the Warriors, going 3-2 in their five games without Booker. Though they certainly miss his impact on offense, the team has found a way to win games by tightening up their defense, allowing just 101.7 PPG in their last three games.

A Total Collapse in Portland

After an admirable start with a 10-1 home record, the Trail Blazers have since dropped four straight at Moda Center and five straight overall. Injuries are certainly to blame for the team’s skid, as Lillard and McCollum haven’t played enough games together to get a groove going with one or both being out most of the season. With McCollum out indefinitely, Lillard will have more pressure on himself to help this team out of their hole. Aside from their rough skid at home, the Trail Blazers have failed to even keep games close lately. In their last ten games as underdogs, they hold a 1-9 record against the spread. On top of their lack of production on the court, the leadership took a hit as well after the team fired GM Neil Olshey for misconduct. With a lot of games left to play this season, we could see the Trail Blazers continue their slide down the standings and even miss out on the postseason.

The Historicals

Tuesday’s matchup will be the third time these teams see each other this season. They split the first two games, with Portland winning the first and Phoenix-winning last month in a 119-109 final. Also worth noting is that the Suns have won four of their last five games against Portland.

How the Public is Betting the Suns vs. Trail Blazers

65% are betting the Suns against the spread.

63% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 218.

More Picks: Warriors vs. Knicks 12/14/21 Game Odds & Picks >>>

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• The Phoenix Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games.
• The Phoenix Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last five games as a road favorite.
• The Portland Trail Blazers are 1-9 ATS in their last ten games as an underdog.
• The Portland Trail Blazers are 0-4 ATS in their last four home games.
• Under is 4-0 in the Suns’ last four games.
• Under is 4-1 in the Suns’ last five games as a favorite.
• Under is 4-1 in the Trail Blazers last five games as a home underdog.

Collin’s Pick for Suns/Trail Blazers

This matchup features two teams who have caught the injury bug, though the Suns have fared better with it, still holding the second-best record in the league. With the Trail Blazers turmoil having no end in sight, I see it being difficult for them to score on the Suns defense who has tightened up in their last handful of games. A 2.5-point spread makes sense by giving Portland the benefit of the doubt at home, but I don’t see that mattering as they haven’t played well regardless of where they are. Take the Phoenix Suns to cover the 2.5-point spread.

Collin’s Over/Under Pick

Given the lack of offense from both teams recently and the injuries to each team’s top-scoring producers, I see a lot of value in the total for this one as well. Taking into consideration both teams average points allowed over the last week, my projection for this one comes out to 209 points, well short of the 218-point total projected. I’d suggest taking the under on the 218 total. Bankroll taking a beating lately? Don’t re-up at your bookie and get NOTHING! Check out our best sportsbook bonuses list and grab a 100% bonus!