Tip-off: Friday, 10:05 p.m. ET
Line: Portland -1.0, Total: 204.5

The Suns look to keep their playoff hopes alive in a big home game against the Trail Blazers Friday.

The Blazers are coming off of a 92-89 win as 1.5-point underdogs in Utah on Wednesday. The victory snapped a five game SU and ATS losing streak for the team and it was also the first time that Portland held its opponent to less than 90 points since Mar. 5, 2015. The Suns, meanwhile, lost 108-99 as an 8-point home favorite against the Kings on Wednesday. They had been hot before losing that game though, winning four straight games SU and covering in three of those contests. Phoenix’s games have gone Under the total in nine of the past 10. Portland, however, has gone Over the total in eight of the past 10. Phoenix has dominated Portland when playing at home in this head-to-head series, winning seven straight games and nine of the past 10 SU. The Suns are also 8-2 ATS in those games. Going back even further, the Suns are an impressive 17-3 SU and 12-6-2 ATS versus the Blazers in Phoenix in the past 20 meetings. Portland is 14-5 ATS when playing eight or more games in 14 days this season. Phoenix, meanwhile, is 41-25 ATS as an underdog over the past two seasons. C Chris Kaman (Shoulder) is questionable for Portland, which is already without SG Wesley Matthews (Achilles) for the season. SGs Brandon Knight (Knee) and Marcus Thornton (Toe) are questionable for Phoenix.

The Blazers were really struggling before picking up a victory over the Jazz on Wednesday. PG Damian Lillard (21.4 PPG, 6.3 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG) is doing everything he can to get his team to win games. Lillard was excellent against Utah, finishing with 23 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in 40 minutes of action. Over the past five games, he is averaging 22.8 PPG, 6.2 APG and 5.0 RPG in 36.8 MPG. He’ll need to play well against this up-tempo Suns team on Friday. PF LaMarcus Aldridge (23.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.0 BPG) had 19 points and nine boards in 36 minutes in the win over Utah. He had missed the game before with some pain in his finger but looked fine on Wednesday. He’ll need to use his size to dominate a Suns team that he struggled against earlier in the season, scoring just 19 points on inefficient shooting (7-for-18 FG). SF Nicolas Batum (9.4 PPG, 4.8 APG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 SPG) has missed the last two games for the Blazers but should be back in the lineup against the Suns. He has been amazing against Phoenix this season, averaging 23.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 6.0 APG in two games against the team. SF Dorell Wright (4.5 PPG, 2.2 RPG) has played very well in the absence of the Blazers’ usual starters. He’s averaging 13.5 PPG and 5.0 RPG over the past two contests and could play some big minutes off the bench in this game.

The Suns have gotten hot recently but were unable to beat the Kings in Phoenix on Wednesday. PG Eric Bledsoe (17.3 PPG, 6.0 APG, 5.5 RPG, 1.7 SPG) has played very well against Portland this season, averaging 25.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 5.0 APG in two contests. Bledsoe’s combination of speed and strength is a tough matchup for Damian Lillard and he will need to attack the basket often in this one. SG Brandon Knight (17.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.4 SPG) is questionable for this game. Knight is averaging 17.5 PPG and 5.0 APG in two games against the Blazers this year. He’d be a big boost to this lineup if he is able to give it a go. SF Marcus Morris (15.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.3 SPG) has come on strong for the Suns lately. Over the past five games, he’s averaging 13.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.4 APG and 1.2 SPG. He’ll need to play well against a Blazers team that he is averaging just 8.5 PPG against this season. PF Markieff Morris (15.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.3 SPG) has been even better than his brother lately though. Over the past two games, he’s averaging 21.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 1.5 SPG. He’s going to see a lot of time covering Aldridge in this game and will need to be at his best on both ends of the floor. C Alex Len (6.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.6 BPG) is going to be an x-factor in this game. Len has not been playing very well since re-injuring his ankle and will need to start playing better. He has struggled against Portland this year with just 5.5 PPG and 3.5 RPG. If he can play well then the Suns would have a great chance of coming away with a victory at home.