NBA Free Pick – Friday, January 14, 2011
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Portland Trailblazers (20-19) vs Phoenix Suns (16-21)
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 10:30 pm EST on ESPN
Last meeting: Portland won at Phoenix 101-94 in December
Portland is still struggling to find consistency with their best player out of the lineup. Brandon Roy has now been ruled out for the season so maybe other players can now get more comfortable in their roles. When the Trailblazers beat Phoenix last month Roy chipped in 26 points so clearly someone else has to step up in this one. Odds are it will be LaMarcus Aldridge, who I must admit has become a better player than I thought he would be. He has nudged his scoring just above 20ppg and will be a tough guard for the Phoenix bigs with his shooting. His job in the interior has been made easier by the solid play of Marcus Camby next to him. With Camby around he doesn’t have to do all the dirty work by himself. Portland enters this one well rested which at this point in the season can make a big difference, even on the road. They have lost their last two but haven’t played since Tuesday.
Check out the latest NBA Basketball Odds here.
Phoenix needed overtime to beat New Jersey their last time out and will try to extend their winning streak to two on Friday night. They haven’t won back to back games since early December and have been really struggling of late, falling out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference. In the win over the Nets three players scored more than 20 points including Vince Carter who netted 23. It was his best game since joining the Suns and they need him to have a renaissance if they are to start winning more often. I don’t put much faith in that as he tends to wilt against better competition. Phoenix is a brutal 6-12-1 ATS at home (only 10-9 SU). With the team they have and their style of play teams look forward to visiting the Valley of the Sun to get their running it. There is little if any real home court advantage.
The current line on this one is the Phoenix Suns -1 with an over/under 198.
Prediction: I think the Blazers are catching the Suns in a good spot. They are also the better team right now, holding the 8th spot in the West. Look for Wesley Matthews to be effective and the Blazers to win a high scoring close game.
Score: Portland 106 – Phoenix 103
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Portland Trailblazers Betting Trends:
- Trail Blazers are 2-0-2 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
- Trail Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Trail Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Phoenix Suns Betting Trends:
- Suns are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
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