The Phoenix Suns had little difficulty in dispatching of one red hot Western Conference counterpart at home Friday night, beating the Utah Jazz 110-100. Now they try and do it again Sunday night when they welcome in the Portland Trail Blazers, winners of five straight games. The Suns are 6.5-point favorites at most of our recommended online sportsbooks.

The eight teams that will comprise the Western Conference Playoffs are essentially set, but the seeding of the teams, particularly at the bottom half, is anything but settled. Four teams, including these two, are seperated by just a game and a half in the standings with Phoenix tied for fifth with Oklahoma City and Portland bringing up the rear in eighth. It's interesting to note that the Blazers are at a bit of a disadvantage with only 12 games left on their schedule, which is one less than Phoenix and three fewer than Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

Portland has won 10 of its last 12, but needed a game winning shot at the buzzer to get by lowly Washington at home Friday night by a score of 76-74. Obviously, the team came nowhere close to covering the double-digit pointspread and the game went way Under (by over 40 points!). It was the 49th time this season that the Blazers held an opponent to less than 100 points as they continue to be the best defensive club in the conference. Offensively, Portland shot just 32.1% from the floor, their lowest shooting percentage in any victory this season.

Phoenix is the NBA's best offensive team averaging better than 110 points per game. They have won three straight and 11 of their last 14. Against the Jazz, the team shot 52.7% and Amare Stoudemire scored a season high 44 points. Over the last three games, the Suns are averaging 127.3 PPG on 55.5% shooting. Last Tuesday, they scored an NBA season high 152 points against Minnesota. Stoudemire has eight 30+ point games since the All-Star Break and is averaging 32 PPG on 61% shooting the last seven games. This is the finale of a season-high seven-game home stand for Phoenix.

Portland has won seven of its last nine on the road and has taken both prior meetings with the Suns, both SU and ATS, this season. Back in December, they prevailed 105-102 as 1.5-point home favorites. In February, the Blazers shot better than they have in any road game this season (58.4%), winning outright as 9.5 point dogs 108-101. It was the highest shooting percentage that Phoenix has allowed in any game this season.

The Suns have not beaten the Blazers since November 2008, losing four straight meetings. However, Portland has not swept a seasoon series from Phoenix since 1998-99.

The 2009-10 NBA betting season is here, and if you like winning NBA Basketball Picks, then Vegas Experts is your home for Sports Betting. The Vegas Experts have you covered with, free betting trends, free NBA picks, free College basketball picks and Guaranteed Sports Picks all the way up until the 2010 NBA Finals.