Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers 10/23/21 - NBA Picks & Predictions

In the second game of a Saturday NBA TV doubleheader, the Phoenix Suns will invade the Moda Center to face the Portland Trail Blazers. This will be the second of a back-to-back on the road for Phoenix, who outscored the Los Angeles Lakers by 16 points during the second quarter of a 115-105 road victory last night. The Suns (1-1) assisted on 31 of their 42 made field goals and shot 49 percent overall.

All-Star G Chris Paul tallied a team-high 23 points to go along with 14 assists and five rebounds. Devin Booker chipped in 22 points and five rebounds for the Suns.

The Portland Trail Blazers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Denver and hired Chauncey Billups to be their new head coach. Billups’ first order of business will be improving a defense that finished second worst in defensive efficiency. On Wednesday, Portland surrendered 38 points in consecutive quarters during a 124-121 home loss versus Sacramento.

Portland G C.J. McCollum tallied a team-high 34 points on a 14-for-24 shooting performance. All-Star G Damian Lillard added 20 points and 11 assists for the Trail Blazers.