Could Nick Richards vs. Deandre Ayton decide the game?
Who: Phoenix Suns (25-22) @ Portland Trail Blazers (19-29)
When: 8:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Moda Center — Portland, Oregon
Watch: AZFamily, Suns Live
Listen: KMVP 98.7
Who doesn’t love a little Friday/Saturday back-to-back action? That’s what the Suns are facing after defeating the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. They are right back at it, flying up the Pacific coast to take on another Western Conference foe in the Trail Blazers.
Portland remains a team in development, but they’re finally starting to show real progress. They’ve won six of their last seven games, including impressive victories over the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic. This trip to Rip City won’t be an easy one, and it’s just the first of back-to-back games against the Blazers on their home court.
The player at the center of this surge for the Blazers? None other than former Sun, Deandre Ayton. Over the last seven games, DA has led the team with 20.0 points and 12.5 rebounds. He’s shooting 61/7% from the field and has posted a 102.9 defensive rating.
Remember him?
Deandre Ayton moving his feet in forcing a turnover on Giannis Antetokounmpo
Suns play at Portland twice during upcoming road trip. #Suns #RipCity pic.twitter.com/hZN4ZpYsvZ
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 29, 2025
We know what it’s like when Ayton goes on one of these heaters. When Ayton flips the switch — when his physicality finally syncs with his effort — he looks every bit like the No. 1 pick he was supposed to be. A walking double-double machine, punishing the rim, feasting in the mid-range, moving like a big man who just remembered he’s bigger than everyone else.
Let’s just hope Phoenix can put a lid on him before he really starts cooking.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Clean!
Trail Blazers
- Jerami Grant — QUESTIONABLE (Right Ankle Soreness)
- Matisse Thyebulle — OUT (Left Calf Strain)
Uniform Matchup
What to Watch For
I think we all know where our eyes will be. Ayton vs. Kirkland Ayton…errr…Nick Richards.
How will the two match up? Will Suns’ head coach Mike Budneholzer give Richards a proper run? Or will he succumb to his “I sure do like Mason Plumlee” philosophy? This could be the ball game right here. In the paint. At the rim. Can Nick Richards create a space where second-chance points go to die?
Key to a Suns Win
Defensive rebounding.
The Trail Blazers are 22nd in the NBA in total rebounding but 5th in offensive rebounds. Deandre Ayton averages 3.1 offensive rebounds per game. Keep him off the glass. While we do not have to worry about him trying to go through Nick Richards — Ayton still has an affinity for fading away from contact — is still a quality rebounder. The Suns, who are 25th in the league in total rebounds per game and 15th in defensive rebounds, need to get in that “team rebounding” mindset.
Prediction
This one will be closer than we want it to be. Why? Because the Suns aren’t great at rebounds and they are good for at least 5 boneheaded plays a night.
Suns 122, Trail Blazers 119