Trail Blazers vs. Suns predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 14

The 2026 NBA Western Conference Play-In Tournament kicks off with a high-stakes 7-vs-8 matchup tonight, as the Phoenix Suns (45-37) host the Portland Trail Blazers (42-40) at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Arizona. The winner secures the No. 7 seed and a first-round showdown with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, while the loser must play again on Friday against the winner of the 9-10 game to determine the final playoff spot.

Led by Devin Booker , Phoenix is seeking to return to the playoffs after missing out last year. Its been a beat since Portland last made the playoffs. The Blazers take the court looking to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2021.

Neither of these teams really expected to make the playoffs this season. The Suns have redefined themselves this season under first-year head coach Jordan Ott , boasting a top-10 defensive rating even after moving on from stars like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal . Offensively, the burden remains heavy on the aforementioned Booker although he has seen Jalen Green mature into a legitimate scoring threat in the Association.

Portland has relied on a post-All-Star break resurgence, featuring the league's third-best defense since late February. The Blazers, led by interim coach Tiago Splitter , play a disruptive defense led by Deni Avdija , Donovan Clingan , and Toumani Camara . Portland led the league in total forced turnovers.