The Phoenix Suns (20-18, 8th in Western Conference) conclude a three-game road trip tonight in Portland against the Blazers (10-28, 14th in Western Conference) for their final meeting this season. The Blazers will be missing eight total players tonight against Phoenix, while the Suns will only be down Bol Bol (foot) and Damion Lee (knee). Portland just concluded a road trip in which they went 1-6 and lost by 20+ points in each other last three games, including a 62-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. Phoenix is coming off a huge 127-109 victory over the Lakers Thursday. The Suns lead the season series 2-1.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Local Game Information
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. MST
Location:Â Moda Center
TV Channel: 3TV/AZ Family
Radio:Â Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream:Â Suns Live (click for more info)
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 14, 2024
Betting Odds
Line: PHX -12.5
O/U:Â 233.5
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns: Bol Bol (right foot soreness) OUT | Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) OUT
Portland Trail Blazers: Deandre Ayton (right knee tendinitis) OUT | Jerami Grant (illness) OUT | Shaedon Sharpe (adductor soreness) OUT | Matisse Thybulle (illness) OUT | Malcolm Brogdon (right adductor soreness) OUT | Moses Brown (left wrist fracture) OUT | Ibou Badji (right hip contusion) OUT | Robert Williams III (right knee ligament tear) OUT
Starters (Projected)
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić
Portland Trail Blazers:Â Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, Toumani Camara, Jabari Walker, Duop Reath
Five Keys to Game for Suns
- Don’t underestimate the opponent
- Work on what needs to be worked on in game setting
- Get up three-point attempts
- Build off momentum from last game
- Staying healthy
Prediction
Suns 113 – Blazers 90
The Suns already blew out a short-handed Blazers team on Jan. 1, and there is no reason it should change today even with them being on the road. Phoenix just needs to build off the momentum of their victory over the L;akers and make it out of this game unscathed and healthy. they still can’t take Portland lightly, as the Blazers have beaten the Suns in their only other matchup in Portland.
Last Time Out
The Phoenix Suns (20-18) dominated the Los Angeles Lakers (19-20) Thursday night with a 127-109 victory. Devin Booker started the charge for the Suns, posting 16 points in the first quarter and finishing with 31 for the game. However, the game turned out to be all about Bradley Beal. Beal posted a season-high 37 points, going 8-of-10 from deep. Beal went 14-of-21 (67%) from the field and also had six rebounds, four assists and a steal. He scored 26 of his points in the second half (20 in the third quarter), shooting 10-of-13 (77%) from the floor and 5-of-6 (83%) from three in this half. Kevin Durant ended the game with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Bradley Beal himself outscored the Lakers’ “Big 3” of James, Davis (13 points) and Austin Reaves (13 points) 37-36 for the whole game.
The Portland Trail Blazers (10-28) were blown out 116-93 by the Minnesota Timberwolves (27-11) Friday night. Minnesota shot 55% from the floor compared to 39% for Portland. Jabari Walker was the leading scorer for the blazers, posting 17 points and 13 rebounds off the bench. Duop Reath and Toumani Camara led the starters with 14 points apiece.
Flashback: Last Meeting (Jan. 1, 2024)
On New Year’s Day, Suns defeat Trail Blazers 109-88 to begin 2024
Team Matchup Notes
Here are some stats, notes and everything else to know about the Suns and Blazers before their fourth and final matchup of the season (via Suns)
Each team’s stats (via Suns):
Preview: Team Injury Reports
Portland Trail Blazers face Phoenix Suns with 8 players ruled out
Preview: 5 keys for the Suns to Sustain Success with their Big 3
Preview: Stories after Win over Lakers
Bradley Beal scores season-high 37 points against Lakers: Highlights and reaction
Kevin Durant wanted, and excelled, at challenge of guarding LeBron James
Devin Booker credits Kevin Durant for his hot start vs. Lakers
What Charles Barkley and Kevin Garnett say the Suns biggest position of need is
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
