NBA Playoff Betting – Suns look to put Trailblazers away

If you’re going to bet on the Kentucky Derby, you know that the favorite, Eskendereya, is out due to a leg injury.  Injuries have been the story of the year for Portland, and their leading thoroughbred is limping through a painful knee injury that required surgery.  Phoenix will aim to put that star, and Portland, out of their misery in Game 6 on Thursday.

Suns vs Trailblazers odds – Thursday, April 29, 10:30 PM ET

The Suns absolutely exploded in the second and third quarters of a 107-88 romp over the Trailblazers in Game 5, outscoring them 57-38.  The bench was the key, holding a 55-23 edge over their Portland counterparts, led by 20 points from Channing Frye and 19 points from Jared Dudley.  Amare Stoudamire added 19 points, while Steve Nash added 14 points and 10 assist for the Suns, who hit 10 of their 27 three-point attempts, and 29 of their 32 chances from the foul line.  If the Suns get production like that from their bench, they’re a very tough team to beat because you know that the starting five are going to get their points.

Andre Miller led the Trailblazers with 21 points, while Jerryd Bayless and LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 points apiece, but the focus was on Brandon Roy, who had just five points in 19 minutes.  Many wonder what the point of having Roy out on the floor is, as he only had surgery in mid-April and came back after eight days, providing a lift for the Trailblazers in their Game 4 win.  He won’t play any more than 30 minutes in Game 6, but is it worth it?  Roy may be doing serious damage to a knee that he’s already had surgery on before, and it may not even matter at this point.

NBA playoff odds should favor the Suns on the road, as they were favored in the last game by two points, but lost.  The Suns will be more prepared for the emotional lift that Roy gives the Trailblazers in Portland, and they’ll be able to play their game, which is to get up and down the floor as fast as possible.  The Trailblazers simply can’t keep up with the Suns in that pace, especially with Roy at 50%.  With Bayless now in the starting lineup because of Roy’s injury, it seriously hurts the Portland bench, and that was clearly apparent in Game 5 as the Suns’ second unit completely took over the game, and Phoenix will need their bench to step up once again.  The Trailblazers have fought gamely all season in the face of injuries, but their season ends here.  Go with the Suns in your sportsbetting picks.