NBA Playoffs: Red-hot Suns look for big lead
By Jack Williams • Apr 24th, 2010 • Category: NBAThe Phoenix Suns try to take a commanding 3-1 lead against the Portland Trail Blazers when the teams meet for Game 4 of their NBA Western Conference quarterfinal series Saturday at the Rose Garden (4:30 pm ET, TNT).
The Suns lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
Phoenix is a 1.5-point favorite and the over/under total is 202 in NBA Odds at JustBet.
After getting upset in Game 1 at home last Sunday, Phoenix has won the past two, including a 108-89 win in Game 3 on Thursday. The Suns covered the point spread as a 1-point road underdog and the score went under the total of 204.
The Suns have really had the Trail Blazers’ number over the past several seasons, compiling an 18-6 SU record in the past 24 meetings, including 6-3 SU in the past nine meetings in Portland.
Phoenix was arguably the hottest team in the NBA down the stretch, going 16-3 SU in its last 19 games and 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road.
Portland wasn’t too bad, either, going 17-7 SU in its last 24 games and 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home.
The Suns went 54-28 straight up and 48-32-2 against the point spread this season while the Trail Blazers were 50-32 SU and 45-35-2 ATS.
On the injury front, Phoenix center Robin Lopez is out indefinitely (sore back), while Portland has multiple players out with injuries, including center Greg Oden (Out For Season, knee injury) and Brandon Roy (Out Indefinitely, knee injury).
Jack Williams is a longtime sports writer and handicapper. Jack attended the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in journalism.
In the '80s, he began his career as a sportswriter, first in Miami, then in New York City, where he still lives.
He is a big fan of the New York Jets but he still has a soft spot for the Gators.
Email this author | All posts by Jack Williams
