Trail Blazers and Suns Set to Ignite the Hardwood at Moda Center

As the Portland Trail Blazers prepare to host the Phoenix Suns at the Moda Center, fans are eager for what promises to be a riveting matchup. The Trail Blazers, despite their recent struggles, have shown flashes of brilliance that could signal an upset against the formidable Suns.

Looking back at their last encounter on December 20th, 2023, Portland edged out Phoenix with a 109-104 victory. The Trail Blazers' bench came alive in that game, contributing a significant 43 points. This depth could once again be pivotal as they seek to replicate their success. With an impressive three-point shooting performance of 50 percent in that game, maintaining this level of accuracy from beyond the arc will be crucial for Portland.

However, it's not all smooth sailing for the Trail Blazers. Their December 22nd loss against Washington Wizards highlighted some defensive frailties as they failed to lead at any point during that game. Moreover, their most recent defeat on December 24th against Golden State Warriors saw them conceding a staggering 126 points while only managing to score 106 themselves.

The Suns come into this next game with a mixed bag of results but cannot be underestimated given their ability to dominate when leading – as evidenced by their time ahead in previous games – and potent fast-break scoring capabilities.

Portland must tighten up defensively and capitalize on turnovers if they are to contain Phoenix's offense. The key battle will likely take place in paint where both teams have previously shown strength; however, Portland's ability to convert second-chance opportunities might give them an edge.

The upcoming clash is set for January 15th at Moda Center and promises high stakes as both teams vie for momentum mid-season. Fans can catch all the action live on ROOT Sports NW or AZFamily channels starting at 6:00 PM local time (9:00 PM ET).