The playoffs are still on the mind for the Trail Blazers, so this game is crucial. There’s no more time to waste and it’s officially become a win/loss thing. The Suns are now a rival of the Blazers as Phoenix sits a game and a half ahead of them in the lower western conference.
Devin Booker may be absent for the matchup which means nothing for the Blazers. There’s no excuses at this point. It’s do or die territory for Rip City. Outside of Booker this Suns team is very well constructed. The absence of DeAndre Ayton has been unfortunate for Phoenix, but everyone else has stepped up and filled the gaps that remain.