Suns vs. Blazers – Preview
Tuesday, 11:00pm ET • Moda Center
Our Pick: Suns +2.5

The second half of Tuesday’s TNT doubleheader features an intriguing Western Conference matchup as the Phoenix Suns (8–6) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (6–7) at Moda Center. Portland is a 2.5-point home favorite, with Phoenix catching +2.5 and a total around 236.5. 

Phoenix has quietly steadied itself after a 1–4 start, winning seven of its last nine and climbing into eighth in the West.    The Suns come in with a 119.1 offensive rating and are top-10 in both offensive efficiency and roughly mid-pack on defense, signaling a balanced profile rather than the all-offense group many expected.    Devin Booker is again the engine, averaging 28.4 points, 4.1 boards and 7.0 assists, while Dillon Brooks has surprised with 22.0 points per game on 45.9% shooting, including back-to-back 30-point outings. 

Phoenix is shorthanded on the wing – Grayson Allen and Jalen Green are both out – but its core creators remain intact.    That continuity contrasts sharply with Portland’s backcourt situation. The Blazers already lost Damian Lillard for the season, Scoot Henderson has yet to debut, and Jrue Holiday is listed as doubtful with a right-calf issue that kept him out of Sunday’s 138–133 overtime loss in Dallas. 

Portland’s offense has been entertaining but volatile. The Blazers rank seventh in three-point attempts and overall points per game despite shooting just 33.4% from deep (25th), leaning heavily on volume threes and transition to keep up on the scoreboard.    Deni Avdija’s breakout — 26.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, including 29-6-7 in Dallas — has helped, but the defense has cratered, allowing over 124 points per 100 possessions on a recent 1–4 road trip and sitting 26th league-wide in defensive rating. 

Given Phoenix’s recent form, its efficient half-court attack, and Portland’s depleted guard rotation and bottom-tier defense, the matchup tilts toward the Suns’ ability to generate cleaner looks and get late stops. Even on the road, catching +2.5 with the healthier, more balanced side looks justified.