Portland entered the fourth quarter trailing in Denver on Monday and won by eight. Phoenix led Golden State by 16 in the second quarter that same night and lost by three. In the rematch, the Suns will need scoring beyond Devin Booker to keep pace when Portland turns to its bench.
Portland has more than one way to finish
Deni Avdija scored nine of his 28 points in the fourth quarter of Portland’s 118–110 win in Denver. Jrue Holiday had 17 points and 10 assists off the bench, and Donovan Clingan grabbed 18 rebounds. Portland scored 112, 118, 128 and 136 in its four road wins. Holiday’s night in Denver showed how the Blazers can keep creating shots when they rotate their guards.
DraftKings favors Portland by 3.5. The Blazers won the first meeting 124–83 at home, but Phoenix has scored at least 113 in every game since. Booker had 26 points in Monday’s 116–113 loss at Golden State, with 21 from Miles Bridges and 18 from Dillon Brooks. If Bridges and Brooks can keep getting good looks when Booker gives up the ball, Phoenix has a better chance to stay within one possession.
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Why 227.5 is a different test
Portland’s last three games went under their posted totals, but the Denver game reached 228. That was below Monday’s line of 231.5 and above Wednesday’s 227.5. Phoenix’s last four games all went over their own lines and finished above 227.5.
The first meeting showed how a big Portland scoring night can still leave the combined score down if Phoenix stalls. The Suns have found more offense since. Watch whether Bridges and Brooks can keep it going when Portland changes guards. That’s where Phoenix can find the points it missed in the opener and keep Portland from pulling away.
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