NBA Match Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns
In a Western Conference (WC) clash, Portland Trail Blazers are hosting the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night at the Rose Garden, Oregon. This will be the teams’ second meeting this season.
Coming from a disappointing run on the road, Blazers look for a turnover with tonight’s match. With two away matches last week, the Blazers are now on a four match losing streak on the road. The only win they managed last week was on Sunday when they hosted
the Conference trailers Los Angeles Clippers. Although, their road record (4-8) is clearly disappointing, Blazers can take comfort in the fact that they are still going strong at home. With a 5-3 mark at home, the Blazers hope to extend their winning streak
at home against the Suns tonight and the Orlando Magic tomorrow.
As a result of their match against Clippers, the Blazers will be missing their point guard Andre Miller against the Suns tonight. Miller is serving a one game league suspension after his team’s rough conclusion against the Clippers. Announced on Monday,
the ban on Miller was imposed because of his “unnecessary and excessive contact with Clippers' Blake Griffin in the final minutes of the match”.
Though Miller won’t be playing, Blazers are not without their stars. Wesley Matthews averaging 21.0 points with 53.5 percent shooting will be playing in tonight’s match. Matthews scored 26 points against Clippers on Sunday. Notable performances from Brandon
Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge were also seen against the Clippers as the two went for a combined score of 18 points. Roy is currently averaging 15.0 points this season.
Although, Miller will be absent against the Suns, Blazers' coach Nate McMillan is confident that his team will perform well. Talking about it he said, "With everything that has gone on in the last couple weeks…you just know you have to win. You have to win
one. And you have to play through it and work your way through it,"
Leading the Blazers (9-11) in the WC standings, the Suns are currently at an 11-9 mark this season with an acceptable 5-6 on the road.
Coming from a perfect 3-0 mark last week, the Suns are in full form to extend their three-match winning streak tonight. The Suns played an away match against the Golden State Warriors (107-101) on Thursday and then hosted the Indiana Pacers (105-97) on Friday.
Their latest victory came on Sunday when they defeated the Washington Wizards by a margin of 13 points.
Blazers might be missing their point guard but the Suns are not. Suns’ star Steve Nash has been in full form lately and the Suns' coach hopes he will help avoid a second loss to the Blazers this season. Nash recorded a season high of 17 assists against the
Wizards on Sunday. Continuing to get teammates involved, Nash’s great play helped Hakim Warrick score a season high of 26 points while Jason Richardson recorded his seventh straight game of at least 20 points.
Should Nash continue his performance, a Suns' win is inevitable. Although, Suns lead the Blazers in the conference standings, the Blazers are currently leading the head to head by 1-0. All evidence suggests that tonight’s match is going to be a close one.
Will the Suns level the head to head or will the Blazers go 2-0 in their lead? The answer to this question remains to be seen.
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