Portland @ Phoenix Picks & Props

The matchup against Phoenix is a tough one; when the Suns are playing at home, they have allowed the 6th-least points per game in the league to the opposition's starting PGs since the start of last season (17.6). The Portland Trail Blazers have played at the 8th-least up-tempo pace-of-play in the NBA as the away team this year. The Portland Trail Blazers will likely suffer a drop-off in possessions today from being pitted against the 5th-slowest pace-of-play visiting team in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Suns). The Trail Blazers rank as the 10th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA while playing away from home since the start of last season (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce additional chances for scoring and assists). The Phoenix Suns have allowed the 3rd-most offensive boards per game (12.3) in the NBA to opposing squads this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore produce additional chances for scoring and assists).

Devin Booker has tallied 3.1 personal fouls per game while on the road since the start of last season, placing him in the 95th percentile -- among the NBA's highest-fouling. Since the start of last season when they have the home court advantage, the other team's starting PGs have logged 15.9 points per game (15th-lowest in the NBA) vs. the Trail Blazers, making this a hard matchup for offensive efficiency. The 5th-most sluggish pace team in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Phoenix Suns. The Trail Blazers have played at the 8th-least up-tempo tempo in the league this year, which should decrease opportunities for the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have been the 6th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore reduce additional chances for scoring and assists).

This year when they are the visiting squad, opposing clubs have shot 46.1% on shot attempts from the field (10th-worst in the league) vs. the Suns, resulting in a hard matchup. The matchup vs. Phoenix is a positive one for three-point attempts; when the Suns are away from home, the other team's starting SFs have averaged the 23rd-most 3-point attempts per game in the league this year (5.7).

Relative to last year's 14.5 mark, Jerami Grant's field goal attempts have jumped this year to 17.6 per game. Jerami Grant has successfully made 47.5% of his treys over the last 5 games, 10.0% higher than he's made in all games this year. Out of all players in the NBA, Jerami Grant lands in the 94th percentile for playing time, putting up a whopping 34.7 minutes per game when playing away from home this year. This year when they are on the road, the opposition's starting PFs have totaled 10.0 buckets per game (30th-most in the NBA) against the Suns, creating a strong matchup. In comparison to last season's 6.2 mark, Jerami Grant's number of free throws has jumped this season to 6.6 free throws per game.

The Phoenix Suns check in as the 8th-highest scoring offense in the league while on the road this year. The matchup against Portland is a positive one for scoring; when the Portland Trail Blazers are playing at home, the opposing team's starting Cs have tallied the 30th-most buckets per game in the NBA this year (7.0). Relative to last year's 65.6% mark, Jusuf Nurkic's free-throw prowess has spiked this year to 79.8%. The matchup vs. the Portland Trail Blazers is a strong one for drawing fouls; the opposition's starting Cs have attempted a monstrous 6.9 foul shots per game this year (29th-most in the league). Jusuf Nurkic will have the home court advantage in this matchup. Playing on your home court generally increases stat production across the board.

In contrast to last season's 2.1 mark, Grayson Allen's 3-pointers scored have spiked this season to 2.7 per game. Grayson Allen has tallied an impressive 31.3 minutes per game this season, a significant increase from his 27.1 minutes per game last season. The Phoenix Suns check in as the 8th-highest scoring offense in the league while on the road this year. Out of all players in the NBA, Grayson Allen measures in the 89th percentile for foul-shot performance without the home court advantage with a an exceptional 92.9% rate this year. Grayson Allen is expected to see a spike in efficiency across the board considering having the home court advantage in this game.

Among all players in the league, Deandre Ayton ranks in the 75th percentile for playing time, compiling a whopping 30.9 minutes per game this year. This year when they have the home court advantage, opposing starting Cs have totaled 1.3 threes per game (30th-most in the league) vs. the Phoenix Suns, creating a strong matchup. Deandre Ayton has successfully made a terrific 100.0% of his foul shot attempts this season, significantly higher than his 72.8 rate last season.

Since the start of last season when they are on their home court, opposing starting PFs have shot 28.7% on threes (12th-worst in the NBA) vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, identifying this as a hard matchup. The 5th-most sluggish pace team in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Phoenix Suns. The Trail Blazers have played at the 8th-least up-tempo tempo in the league this year, which should decrease opportunities for the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have been the 6th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore reduce additional chances for scoring and assists). When playing at home, the Portland Trail Blazers have given up the 10th-most offensive rebounds per game (11.9) in the NBA to the other team this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore provide additional chances for scoring and assists).

In contrast to last year's 35.4% clip, Drew Eubanks's 3-point proficiency has spiked this year to 100.0%. The Phoenix Suns check in as the 8th-highest scoring offense in the league while on the road this year. This matchup is a difficult one for 3-point shots; when the Portland Trail Blazers are on their home court, opposing squads have totaled the 2nd-least shots from behind the three-point arc per game in the NBA against them this year (10.0). Drew Eubanks figures to see an increase in effectiveness in all facets of the game considering controlling the home court advantage in this matchup.

In comparison to last year's 1.7 rate, Shaedon Sharpe's personal fouls per game have jumped this year to 2.9. This year when they are the visiting team, the opposition's starting SGs have tallied 4.5 3-point attempts per game (15th-fewest in the league) against the Phoenix Suns, marking this as a tough matchup. The Portland Trail Blazers have played at the 8th-least up-tempo pace-of-play in the NBA as the away team this year. The Portland Trail Blazers will likely suffer a drop-off in possessions today from being pitted against the 5th-slowest pace-of-play visiting team in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Suns). The Trail Blazers rank as the 10th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA while playing away from home since the start of last season (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce additional chances for scoring and assists).

Among all players in the NBA, Josh Okogie lands in the 15th percentile for personal fouls, totaling a measly 1.2 fouls per game with the home court advantage this year. The Phoenix Suns check in as the 8th-highest scoring offense in the league while on the road this year. This matchup is a difficult one for 3-point shots; when the Portland Trail Blazers are on their home court, opposing squads have totaled the 2nd-least shots from behind the three-point arc per game in the NBA against them this year (10.0). Relative to last season's 1.8 clip, Josh Okogie's free throws drained have increased this season to 3.0 per game. Josh Okogie is expected to get a boost in efficiency for all stats in light of owning the home court advantage in this matchup.

Eric Gordon has attempted 12.4 shots from the field per game this season, significantly more than his 9.4 mark last season. In contrast to last year's 5.2 rate, Eric Gordon's shots from behind the three-point arc have increased this year to 6.8 per game. Eric Gordon has been called for 1.3 personal fouls per game away from home this year, ranking in the 20th percentile -- among the NBA's lowest-fouling. The Phoenix Suns check in as the 8th-highest scoring offense in the league while on the road this year. This year, opposing starting SGs have averaged 7.5 buckets per game (30th-most in the NBA) vs. the Trail Blazers, making this a favorable matchup.

Jordan Goodwin has gone over 4.5 in 3 of his last 10 games.

Keita Bates-Diop has not yet played a game this season.

Jabari Walker has gone over 6.5 in 7 of his last 10 games.