Tip-off: Wednesday, 9:05 p.m. ET
Line: Phoenix -6.5, Total: 211

The Phoenix Suns attempt to win a seventh straight game at home when they host the LaMarcus Aldridge-less Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

Portland has been one of the quieter elite teams in the NBA this season, but has run into a little bit of a rough patch lately with SU losses in three of its last four contests (0-4 ATS). They’ve averaged a mere 95.5 PPG in that time, as they’ve let three of the tougher teams in the West, the Clippers, Spurs and Grizzlies, walk all over them in the losses. In their most recent matchup, the Trail Blazers took on a Kings club who recently got back to full strength and just barely squeaked out a 98-94 victory as 9.5-point favorites. Portland was able to secure the win as they outscored Sacramento 31-19 in the fourth quarter and forced 21 turnovers. The Suns have looked great over the past week as they earned three SU wins (2-1 ATS) in the first three home games of an eight-game homestand. They won the contests by an average of 11 PPG but did so against some of weaker teams in the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angele Lakers, in their last two. They shot 50% or better in each of the victories as they put up 110.7 PPG and lit up the Lakers by a score of 115-100 as 10.5-point favorites on Monday night. They got hot from behind the arc in the win and hit 13-of-32 three-pointers (40.6%) as they forced 23 turnovers. The Blazers have not done quite as well when playing on the road as evidenced by their 12-7 SU record (10-9 ATS) and will be going up against a Suns team which is 12-7 SU (11-8 ATS) when playing in front of their home crowd. These clubs have not met yet this season and it has been Phoenix who has dominated the matchup since the start of the 2012-13 campaign with a 5-2 SU record as they have covered in each of the past eight meetings. Last year, the Suns scored 104 or more points in three of the four games while winning three games SU and holding Portland under 42% shooting three times. Trends show that the Blazers are a solid 11-3 ATS (79%) when playing eight or more games in 14 days this season while Phoenix is 10-1 ATS (91%) after three straight games where they made 47% or their shots or better in the past three years. Portland will be very thin with its big men for this contest as PF LaMarcus Aldridge (Hand), C Robin Lopez (Hand) and C Joel Freeland (Shoulder) are expected to be absent as the Suns bring a healthy slate into this one.

Which team will prevail on Wednesday night? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 55% ATS record (107-86-1) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a stellar 67% ATS (45-22) record since Jan. 2, led by StatFox Scott, who is a sizzling 71% ATS (15-6) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 56% ATS (34-27) for the season. StatFox Brian is 62% ATS (24-15) in Best Bets since Nov. 29, and is now 56% ATS (34-27) in season Best Bets, while StatFox Gary is 69% ATS (9-4) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and 57% ATS (34-26) this season. StatFox Zach is 71% ATS (10-4) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2, while StatFox Dave is 58% ATS (7-5) since Jan. 2.

The Trail Blazers’ offense has looked great this year as they are putting up 103.1 PPG (7th in league) behind 44.8% shooting as a team. They were always known for their solid offense, but what has really impressed is their defense, which has allowed the second-fewest PPG in the league (96.9 PPG) with their opposition making 43.1% of their shots (2nd in league). PG Damian Lillard (22.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.7 RPG, 1.4 SPG) has lost his touch in the past three games, making just 39% of his shots; including a meager 5-of-24 (21%) from behind the arc. He also had his issues when facing Phoenix last year, averaging 18.5 PPG (41% FG) with 4.5 APG and 1.0 SPG. SG Wesley Matthews (16.3 PPG, 1.1 SPG) had an underwhelming performance in his last game as he made just 2-of-12 threes just one game after going 7-for-14 from behind the arc against the Grizzlies. Just like his teammates, Matthews had a lot of issues against the Suns last year as he netted just 9.3 PPG (39% FG) with 3.8 RPG. SF Nicolas Batum (8.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.2 SPG) has been dealing with a lingering wrist injury and has not scored in double-digits in each of the last four games. He didn’t look too good against Phoenix over four starts last season, averaging 11.0 PPG (39% FG) and 7.8 RPG.

As usual the Suns offense can go toe-to-toe with pretty much any other team in the NBA as they are scoring 107.2 PPG (3rd in league) behind 46.6% shooting (6th in league). Unfortunately their defense cannot keep up and is allowing 104.6 PPG to their opponents (3rd-worst in league) on 45.4% shooting. PG Eric Bledsoe (16.4 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.2 RPG, 1.6 SPG) has struggled with a 41% shooting mark in his last five performances and has managed 15.0 PPG in that time. He started in three contests against this Portland club last season, going for 25.0 PPG (52% FG), 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG and 1.3 SPG. SG Goran Dragic (17.0 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG) played a complete game (24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal) in the recent win over the Lakers and has scored 21.0 PPG over his last three performances. He was solid over his four games against the Blazers in the 2013-14 campaign with 23.3 PPG (49% FG) and 5.5 APG. PF Markieff Morris (15.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG) has made 27 of his last 46 shots (59% FG) and is just two games removed from a 35-point, seven rebound performance in the win over the Cavaliers. He came off the bench in three contests against Portland last year and went for 13.0 PPG (39% FG) with 6.7 RPG.