Phoenix vs Portland: If the Trail Blazers lose, it will be in Arizona

Phoenix have lost 3 of their last 4 games, but they’re in no trouble. Monty Williams’ team will play their next game on the home court against Portland. After defeating the Trail Blazers, the Suns will not only improve their morale, but they’ll also likely avoid a first-round playoff clash with the Los Angeles Lakers. Will they push hard and win?

Phoenix’s recent setbacks have sparked wild speculation that Monty Williams’ team, looking to avoid playing the Lakers, aren’t particularly trying to win. Ahead of their meeting with Portland, the Suns went to California, where they lost first to the same Lakers and then to Golden State. There’s not much logic behind the home loss, though, especially since Phoenix had just lost to Atlanta, 103-135.

A first-round opponent is an important consideration. With their upcoming game against Portland, the Suns will have a chance to make a direct impact on the final Western Conference standings. A win against the Trail Blazers would help the Lakers return to the top-6, and thus avoid the 7th seed and face Phoenix at the start of the postseason. A great prospect, but only then, it’s entirely possible the 7th seed goes to Steph Curry and Golden State, whom the Suns lost to the other day.

The Trail Blazers have a difficult calendar, but so far Terry Stotts’ team, having beaten the Lakers, has been in the top six. Portland now has 5 straight wins. The away game against Western Conference leader Utah was a success for the Oregon club. The score was 105-98. Damian Lillard scored 30 points, C.J. McCollum had 26, Carmelo Anthony had 18. Most importantly, Portland managed to let the Jazz lead by less than 100 points. Defensively, things are getting better.

The game in Phoenix is a key one. The Lakers are trailing by 1 win and might not forgive their rival for a slip-up.

Back-to-back games are tough, especially when you have to play two days in a row against the Western Conference leaders, and also away. Portland did well against Utah, but will the Suns be able to outscore them? The Suns will come to the court extremely motivated. A win over Portland could allow Chris Paul and co not to face the LA Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. And what Phoenix is like today when they want to win so badly has already been experienced by many teams. The Suns are in second place in the very strong West for a reason.

So, it will be very difficult for Portland. It’s likely that if Terry Stotts’s team falters, it will be in Arizona. The prediction is a win for Phoenix.

• Phoenix to win with a handicap (-5.5) at odds of about 2.00;
• Phoenix’s Individual Total Over 117.5 at odds of around 1.90;
• Total Over 229.5 at around 1.80.