Published on: Oct 13, 2021 11:30 am IST|Updated on: Oct 13, 2021 10:28 am IST
NBA Preseason is about finalizing a few remaining spots for rosters and provide much-needed practice time to players before the regular season. In this match, Phoenix Suns battle it out versus the Portland Trailblazers. More about PHX vs POR Dream11 will be given below.
Phoenix Suns come into the season after reaching the Finals just three-four months. Surely the team is going to enter with a lot of confidence. However, the road might have become trickier with the Lakers acquiring Westbrook and with the Nuggets and Clippers’ talent. How will the Suns fare this season? The team has fared well in the preseason and Jalen Smith has shown some new chops.
Trailblazers’ lack of Playoffs success remains an enigma because of the talent level. However, it is the toughness of the west that makes them look average. The team has a dynamic backcourt of Lillard and McCollum. Nurkic is in the prime form while the acquisition of Larry Nance gives them a bolstered frontcourt. How will the team fare this season? If the playoffs’ success evades, will this be the last season that Lillard and McCollum play together?
Home: Phoenix Suns Visitors: Portland Trailblazers Match Timing: 14 October, @ 02:30 AM Venue: Footprint Center
The contest will take place at Footprint Center which is the home floor of the Phoenix Suns.
Phoenix Suns | Portland Trailblazers (Preseason record) Games: 03 | 02 Wins: 02 | 00 Defeats: 01| 02
Devin Booker can light it up in terms of scoring while Chris Paul is an assists machine. Both are options for Super/Pro Player in the Dream11 NBA fantasy lineup.
Jusuf Nurkic can do a lot of things on offense and rebound well too.
*last game stats*
Jusuf Nurkic (POR) Points: 05 Rebounds: 08 Assists: 03 Jusuf is an all-around offensive player and except being a long-range bomber, he can score in numerous ways. Nurkic is also a terrific rebounder and can act as a playmaker. Can he help Portland become a deep Playoffs team this season?
Chris Paul (PHX) Points: 15 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 05 Steals: 01 Paul led the team in points during the last game. The veteran guard showed last season how big of a player he is, helping the Suns to the Finals. Can he replicate his success this season?
Anfernee Simons (POR) Points: 24 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 01 Blocks: 01 Anfernee led the team in points during the last match. Can he earn around 20 minutes per game this season?
DeAndre Ayton (PHX) Points: 11 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 01 Ayton was a huge piece in Suns’ success last season. He will be vital again and has shown tremendous growth in a short time.
Dennis Smith Jr. (POR) Points: 18 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 07 Steals: 01 Smith led the team in assists during the last game. Will he be able to land a 10-15 PPG role off the bench for Portland? Is this his revival season?
Jalen Smith (POR) Points: 12 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 00 Jalen led the team in offensive rebounds with four in the last game. The youngster has surely shown improvement but can he eke out backup Center minutes considering the experience of Javale Mcgee?
Cameron Payne (PHX) Points: 10 Rebounds: 01 Assists: 07 Steals: 01 Payne led the team in assists during the last game. Cameron showed his worth last season when CP3 got out due to injury. Can he muster up an 8-10 PPG and 3-4 APG type of season?
Greg Brown II (POR) Points: 06 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 00 Steals: 01 Greg led his team in defensive rebounds with 8. Is there any substantial role for Brown this season?
JaVale McGee (PHX) Points: 12 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 02 Blocks: 03 Steals: 01 McGee led the team in blocks during the last game. Can McGee earn 15-20 minutes role through his experience?
Larry Nance Jr. (POR) Points: 05 Rebounds: 04 Assists: 01 Steals: 03 Larry led his team in steals in the last game. What role will he play for Portland this season? Can he become the difference maker at the defensive end?
OTHER MAJOR PICKS
One of the best scorers in the league, Devin Booker didn’t play in the last game but is likely to feature here.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum may make a return for the preseason fixture.
(Expected) PF: Jae Crowder SF: Miles Bridges C: DeAndre Ayton SG: Devin Booker PG: Chris Paul
BENCH: Frank Kaminsky, Jalen Smith, Abdul Nader, Chandler Hutchinson, JaVale McGee, Elfrid Payton, Chasson Randle, Cameron Johnson, Dario Saric, Landry Shamet, Cameron Payne.
Phoenix Suns Squad: Cameron Payne, Miles Bridges, Cameron Johnson, DeAndre Ayton, Landry Shamet, Frank Kaminsky, Jalen Smith, Abdul Nader, Chandler Hutchinson, JaVale McGee, Elfrid Payton, Chasson Randle, Jae Crowder, Dario Saric, Devin Booker, Chris Paul
(Expected) PF: Robert Covington SF: Norman Powell C: Jusuf Nurkic SG: CJ McCollum PG: Damian Lillard
BENCH: Tony Snell, Ben McLemore, Larry Nance Jr., Dennis Smith Jr, TJ Leaf, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Anfernee Simmons, CJ Elleby, Nasir Little, Keljin Blevins, Greg Brown III, Cody Zeller, Trendon Watford, Quinn Cook, Patrick Patterson, Marquesse Chriss.
Portland Trailblazers Squad: Larry Nance Jr., Tony Snell, Norman Powell, CJ McCollum, Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Ben McLemore, Robert Covington, Anfernee Simmons, TJ Leaf, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Dennis Smith Jr., CJ Elleby, Patrick Patterson, Nasir Little, Keljin Blevins, Greg Brown III, Cody Zeller, Trendon Watford, Quin Cook, Marquesse Chriss.
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Catch the live stream on NBA League Pass. Follow the score on the official website of the NBA.
No TV Channel in India will showcase the match but highlights will be available on the official Youtube channel of the NBA.