wholesale #8 Frank Kaminsky Men Nike Black 2021/22 SwingmanGame P: Top two Western Conference teams square off as Suns play Trail Blazers
What: Phoenix Suns (6-1) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (5-2)
When: 7:00 p.m. AZ Time
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Bally Sports AZ
Listen: 98.7 FM
DraftKings Betting Lines: SJames Harden Jerseysuns -11, O/U 219, Suns Moneyline -540
The Suns enter their matchup against the Blazers having lost only one time thus far this season and finding themselves in a familiar spot: #1 in the Western Conference. That loss? It came at the hands of Portland in the second game of the year. In overtime. With Deandre Ayton at the line, missing a pair of game-tying free-throws. And Jock Landale missed a putback layup.
That’s it for Phoenix.
Since that performance, they have looked crisp, energized, deep, and focused. They have the best offensive and best rating in the league. Phoenix takes all of that and welcomes the Portland Trail Blazers for two games in two nights.
Portland has been one of many surprises early this NBA season. They’ve punched above their weight class and find themselves in the second seed in the Western Conference. They are coming off of a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and will once again be without 6-time All-Star Damian Lillard as he nurses a calf strain injury. This is probably why the Suns are so heavily favored against the Trail Blazers.
But don’t put this team on ice just yet. Anfernee Simmons is proven to be quite the effective replacement for the minutes vacated post-CJ McCollum. He’s averaging 21.6 points-per-game on 43.7/37.1/90 splits thus far this year. He’s coming off of back-to-back 30+ point performances.
Starting Lineups
Out/Injured
Phoenix:
Deandre Ayton (ankle) is PROBABLETorrey Craig (heel) is PROBABLECam Payne (left foot soreness) is QUESTIONABLEIsh Wainright (personal) is OUTJae Crowder (making burner accounts) is NOT WITH TEAM
Portland:
Trendon Wafford (hip) is DOUBTFULAnfernee Simons (left foot) is QUESTIONABLEDamian Lillard (right calf) is OUTGary Payton II (return to competition for reconditioning) is OUTOlivier Sarr (right wrist) is OUT
Uniform Matchup
Both team will be sporting their Statement Edition uniforms.
What to Watch For
Deandre Ayton appears to be healthy enough to start this game. He has been practicing in full this week and will most likely get the nod from head coach Monty Williams.
\"I think he's back ready to go.\" Devin Booker#Suns update: Deandr cp3 suns jerseye Ayton trending to return from left ankle sprain Friday vs. #Blazers (w/video) #RipCity https://t.co/inNLwcsqWW via @azcentral
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 3, 2022
His matchup agaJoel Embiid Jerseysinst Jusuf Nurkic will be a point of emphasis. Devin Booker versus Anfernee Simons will be another.
Simon has been impressive early this season and has taken advantage of Dame’s absence. Booker, who went for 33 against Portland on October 21, has been stellar as charles barkley suns jersey champion well. Their back-and-forth matchup in this game will be fun to watch.
Fun Fact
When w los suns devin booker jerseyas the last time Phoenix held the #1 seed and Portland held the #2 seed in the Western Conference? November 15, 2009.
Keys to a Suns Win
Ayton’s matchup against Nurkic is always the point of emphasis when you play Portland. Phoenix can match their guard play, they can match their wing play, so the x-factor becomes the matchup between DA and Jusuf Nurkic. Ayton hasn’t had much success against him. Nurk’s size and physicality have overpowered him in the past. Perhaps coming off of some rest, DA can change that narrative.
He doesn’t need to dominate him, he just needs to neutralize him. If he can keep Nurkic off of the offensive glass, clearing space for his teammates to grab boards, that is the definition of neutralization.
If DA goes out and gets 18 points and 9 rebounds, that is a huge win for the Phoenix Suns.Dennis Rodman Jerseys The guards of the wings can take care of the rest.
Prediction
It is of note that this is the second time I have covered a game for BrigNBA Sweatshirtsht Side this season. My first game? Portland. So I’m Phoenix Phoenix Suns #11 Abdel Nader Men Nike Black 2021/22 Swingman NBA Jersey - City Edition Men 0-1. Hopefully Phoenix can pull this one out or David King will never let me cover another game again. At least against the Trail Blazers.
My prediction is the Suns will push their winning streak to six consecutive games, downing Portland at home on the first night of a back-to-back against the same team. Booker has his first 40+ point game, and Landry Shamet will hit three three-pointers.
Suns 122, Blazers 111
When the game is over, join the Suns JAM Session Podcast as we discuss the game live on YouTube:
Check ou devin booker jersey oranget DraftKings Sportsbook, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.
More From
Recap: Suns take down Kings in Sacramento, 122-117 Suns JAM Session Podcast: Suns (14-6) @ Kings Post Game Pod Open Thread: Suns take on Kings in Sac Town Game preview: Phoenix Suns face Sacramento Kings, game time, matchups, betting odds Ayton wins West Player of the Week, earning our Deep Dive on how he did it James Jones promoted to President of Basketball Operations, remains General Manager