Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions for Wednesday, October 21, 2026
There will be plenty of familiar faces in new roles when Phoenix visits Portland on Wednesday. The Suns and Trail Blazers open their seasons at Moda Center, with tipoff at 10:00 pm ET. Phoenix won 45 games last year, finished seventh in the West and reached the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament before being swept by Oklahoma City. Portland ended a four-year playoff drought with a 42-40 record and eighth-place finish, but also went out in the first round. The Suns went 1-4 in the preseason, while Portland finished 3-1. Find your next winner with our free NBA picks.
Phoenix Suns Looking for More Improvement
For Phoenix, the question isn't whether Devin Booker can score. It's how much help he'll get and whether the Suns can hold up defensively. Jordan Ott's first season brought progress, with Phoenix climbing from 27th to ninth in defensive rating and winning nine more games than the year before. The Suns also found ways to create extra possessions, grabbing offensive rebounds and forcing turnovers often enough to average 3.1 more shot opportunities than opponents. That helped during the regular season, but wasn't enough against Oklahoma City. Phoenix needs to make those extra chances count.
Booker averaged 26.1 points and 6.0 assists last season, and he'll again have Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green alongside him. Miles Bridges comes over from Charlotte, giving Phoenix another scoring option. Luke Kennard was signed for outside shooting. Collin Gillespie earned a new contract after averaging 12.7 points and 4.6 assists while making a franchise-record 232 three-pointers. The biggest question is in the middle. Mark Williams is out with a shoulder injury, so Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach could see more playing time.
Injuries: Mark Williams is out with a shoulder injury. Luke Kennard and Oso Ighodaro are game-time decisions.
Portland Trail Blazers Have Plenty of Changes
A year ago, Portland finally got back into the postseason. Now the Blazers must figure out how to improve with a very different backcourt. Ja Morant has arrived from Memphis, and Damian Lillard is returning after missing last season with a torn Achilles. Micah Nori is also taking over as coach, Portland's third in less than a year. There's talent here, but the roles aren't settled. The Blazers averaged 16.9 turnovers per 100 possessions last season. Sharing the ball between Morant and Lillard without adding to those mistakes will be important.
Deni Avdija carried much of the scoring load last year, raising his average from 16.9 to 24.2 points. How much he'll have the ball now is another question. Donovan Clingan should remain an important part of Portland's offense after leading the NBA with 4.5 offensive rebounds per game. Those extra chances helped the Blazers produce 18.4 second-chance points a night. Toumani Camara also did valuable defensive work, drawing 106 offensive fouls. Portland will be without Shaedon Sharpe, whose knee injury leaves a hole in the backcourt.
Injuries: Shaedon Sharpe is out with a knee injury. Chris Youngblood, Micah Potter and Jrue Holiday are game-time decisions.
Key To The Game
Extra possessions could decide this one. Phoenix improved at forcing mistakes and chasing rebounds, but Williams won't be available against Clingan. Portland needs to protect the ball while its new backcourt settles in.
Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers Pick
- Portland Trail Blazers -4.5
Portland is still sorting out its backcourt, but Clingan gives the Blazers an advantage on the offensive glass with Williams sidelined. Avdija can score without needing every possession, and Morant adds another way to attack. Phoenix has Booker and several capable scorers, yet replacing Williams inside won't be easy. The Blazers have home court and a strong rebounding option to rely on. Portland should cover the 4.5-point spread on Wednesday.
Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers Over/Under Pick
- Under 235.5
Both teams have reasons to expect adjustment time. Phoenix is missing Williams and may need a different rotation inside, while Portland is working Morant and Lillard into a new backcourt. The Blazers scored plenty on second chances last season but also gave away too many possessions. Booker can score in bunches, though that doesn't guarantee a fast game. With the total at 235.5, the under looks like the better play.