NBA Betting Picks – Brandon Roy’s Return Won’t Matter In Game 5

Brandon Roy’s stunning comeback in Game 4 of the series was a shock to the basketball betting public, but most of all it was also the type of boost that Portland’s fans needed to get in to the game. And holy hell did they ever get in to the game. The frenzied crowd not only put the Phoenix Suns off course, it also blindsided the referees who gave Portland every call it needed to secure the lead in the fourth quarter.

Too bad that’s not an advantage the Trail Blazers will have in Game 5 betting.

The Suns and Blazers return to Phoenix where the Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games. Let’s put the Brandon Roy return in to perspective. He shot 4-of-10 and totaled 10-points in 27 minutes. The injury he sustained needs some break down as well.

While the surgery wasn’t that invasive, repairing a torn meniscus barely is. There will be pain in his knee when he tries to burst laterally, meaning that his ability to slash to the net and breakdown defenses will be severely curtailed. If the Phoenix Suns ramp up the tempo as they almost do at home, Roy’s ability to affect this game will take a serious hit.

Portland Trail Blazers (50-32) vs. Phoenix Suns (54-28)
Monday, April 26th — US Airways Center — 10:30pm EST
NBA Betting Line: Phoenix -7.0 (204.5)

The player that has been fueling the Suns’ momentum in this series is Jason Richardson, who was unable to get going in Game 4. He shot just 6-of-16 from the field and was a weak 2-of-8 from long range. He still managed 15-points in the game, but Phoenix simply wasn’t able to achieve the style of play that wins them games.

Phoenix will be able to push the pace of Game 5 through the roof of U.S. Airways Center, and the only way Roy will be allowed to affect the game is with mid-range jumpers. I estimate that he’ll still be able to manage something in the high teens, but scoring in the range of 30-points is out of the question.

That being said, the OVER is where the safe money is. A big line is an obvious indication that the oddsmakers still think this is Phoenix’ series to lose, especially with home court advantage in their corner tonight. That’s why your money should be behind them tonight.

Furious NBA Free Pick: Phoenix -7.0 (OVER) – SIGN UP HERE