Trail Blazers vs Suns Picks and Predictions: Portland Sets Big Spread Ablaze

After winning eight games in a row, the Phoenix Suns have lost both of their last two. They’re now 1-2 in games without Chris Paul, but they’ll be hoping to get back on track Wednesday in this meeting with a mediocre Portland Trail Blazers squad. 

Will Phoenix blow Portland out and regain its mojo at the Footprint Center? Check out our Blazers vs. Suns NBA picks and predictions for March 2 to find out.

Editor's note: this preview was written before news was released that Suns SG Devin Booker would not play due to entering the league's health and safety protocols. 

Trail Blazers vs Suns odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

After opening as a 12.5-point favorite against Portland, Phoenix is now laying either 13 or 13.5 across all sportsbooks. The total, which opened at 228.5, has stayed the same in all but one spot, which is floating the number at 227.5. 

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Trail Blazers vs Suns predictions

• Prediction: Blazers +13.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 228.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Booker Over 27.5 Points (-105)

Predictions made on 3/2/2022 at 11:45 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Trail Blazers vs Suns game info

• Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
• Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2022
• Tip-off: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN

Trail Blazers vs Suns betting preview

Key injuries

Trail Blazers: Justise Winslow F (Questionable), Eric Bledsoe G (Questionable), Damian Lillard PG (Out), Jusuf Nurkic C (Out), Joe Ingles F (Out), Nassir Little F (Out).
Suns: Devin Booker G (Out), Cameron Payne G (Probable), Chris Paul G (Out), Frank Kaminsky C (Out), Dario Saric F (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Suns are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Suns.

Trail Blazers vs Suns picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

You should expect to see a better version of the Suns in this game than the last two times around. Phoenix appears to be getting Cameron Payne back from an injury, and that is huge for this squad. Without Paul, the Suns were missing essentially playing without a point guard in the rotation, but Payne should be able to give the team’s bench a huge boost — assuming Devin Booker continues to operate as the starting point guard. 

Phoenix is, however, laying a ton of points in this game and Portland just isn’t bad enough to deserve that right now. Anfernee Simons averaged 23.7 points per game in February — he’s been lighting it up since being moved into the starting lineup. He should be able to put up some big numbers in this game, and his off-the-dribble shooting is a huge part of the reason that it’s hard to see the Blazers getting completely blown out here. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s joined in the backcourt by Josh Hart, a very good and underrated two-way player. 

Phoenix has also struggled in games like these in recent years, as it is just 16-32 against the spread when playing at home against lousy defenses that allow opponents to shoot 46.0% from the floor or better over the last three seasons. If the Suns don't fully get up for this one, Portland will put a scare in them late. 

Prediction: Blazers +13.5 (-110) 

Over/Under analysis

The Over has hit in three of Phoenix’s last four games and the team has allowed at least 117 points in all three of those contests that went Over. The Suns are not going to allow that type of defense to become a consistent theme, so you should look for Phoenix to get back to the drawing board a bit in this one. The Blazers have some young offensive talent on the roster, but it shouldn’t be enough to allow the team to go off completely in this one. Meanwhile, the Suns aren’t likely to run things up too much either. 

These two teams combined to score 218 points when they met back in December, but those were different-looking teams than the ones we’ll see tonight. Still, the Under looks like the right play in this game, as this number is just far too high. The Under is actually 9-1 when Phoenix has played with two days’ rest this season, and that time off should give the Suns some time to figure some things out. 

Prediction: Under 228.5 (-110) 

Best bet

Booker has scored 30 points in back-to-back games for the Suns, and he’ll have an even stronger sense of urgency in this one because of his team’s two-game losing streak. Look for Booker to really come out and try to set the tone in this game, as he knows he needs to be at his absolute best in order for Phoenix to get back in the win column. 

It also doesn’t hurt that Booker has a prime matchup in this game. While the Blazers are playing some solid basketball without Lillard in the lineup, the team’s perimeter defense is an absolute disaster. Portland is going to struggle to stay in front of Booker, who could be in for a 35-point-type night if this isn’t a blowout. 

Pick: Devin Booker Over 27.5 Points (-105) 

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