2010 NBA Playoffs Preview: Suns vs. Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have been bitten by the injury bug often during the 2009-10 season, but the latest bite might prove to be the lethal one.

All-Star guard Brandon Roy suffered a torn meniscus during Portland's April 11 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, and after initially saying he'd try to play through the pain and delay surgery until after the season, Roy confirmed Thursday that he'd undergo surgery and miss the Blazers' first-round series against the Phoenix Suns.

The loss of Roy likely means the loss of the series for Portland. This series was going to be close even with Roy, and it should still be close without him. The difference now, however, is that Phoenix is the team headed to the second round.

The Regular Season

Records: Phoenix finished with a 54-28 record to earn the No. 3 seed in the West; Portland went 50-32 to claim the sixth seed.
Season series: Portland beat Phoenix 2-1, winning 105-102 on Dec. 17 and 108-101 on Feb. 10 before the Suns claimed the final contest, 93-87, on March 21.

Series Schedule
(All times Eastern)
Game 1: Sunday, April 18, Portland at Phoenix , 10:30 p.m.
Game 2: Tuesday, April 20, Portland at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.
Game 3: Thursday, April 22: Phoenix at Portland, 10 p.m.
Game 4: Saturday, April 24, Phoenix at Portland, 4:30 p.m.
Game 5: Monday, April 26, Portland at Phoenix, TBD (if necessary)
Game 6: Thursday, April 29, Phoenix at Portland, TBD (if necessary)
Game 7: Saturday, May 1, Portland at Phoenix, TBD (if necessary)

Playoff History

The Trail Blazers are in the postseason for the second consecutive season after a six-year drought. Portland lost in the first round of the 2008-09 playoffs, 4-2 to Houston. Phoenix missed out on the playoffs in 2008-09 for the first time since 2004.

The Suns

Phoenix has been on a roll since the All-Star break, winning 23 of 29 games to close out the season. Key to the Suns' late-season success has been the play of Amar'e Stoudemire, who has dominated at the power forward position. Stoudemire averaged 23.1 points and 8.9 rebounds a game during the regular season. Running the offense is point guard Steve Nash, who puts up a reliable 16.5 points and 11.0 assists per game. The Suns also have a deep threat in shooting guard Jason Richardson, who averages 15.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Grant Hill provides 11.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and veteran leadership for the Suns, who have found another three-point-shooting threat in center Channing Frye, who turns in 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Along with Frye, Leandro Barbosa (9.5 points per game) and Robin Lopez (8.4 points, 4.9 rebounds per game) provide solid depth off the bench for Phoenix.

The Blazers

The loss of Roy is a huge blow to the Blazers' hopes. Portland's team leader and go-to player averaged 21.5 points, 4.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in the regular season. Portland has had an unlucky rash of injuries this season, losing centers Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla for the season and having nearly every player on the roster out at one point or another with an injury. Without Roy, Portland will look to second-leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge to lead the way. Aldridge puts up 17.9 points and 8.0 rebounds a game, but he might have his hands full trying to slow Stoudemire. Aldridge can count on defensive help in the middle from Marcus Camby, who has averaged 7.0 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks since joining the Blazers in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. Point guard Andre Miller averages 17.9 points and 5.4 assists per game, and Nicolas Batum puts up 10.1 points per game. With Roy gone, Portland will be looking for increased production from Martell Webster (9.4 ppg), Rudy Fernandez (7.1 ppg), Jerryd Bayless (8.5) or Juwan Howard (6.0 ppg).

The Bottom Line

The loss of Roy will be too much for the Blazers to overcome, but Portland has overcome injuries all season and will make it close. Prediction: Phoenix in seven games.

Sources:
2009-10 Trail Blazers Regular Statistics, NBA
2009-10 Suns Regular Statistics, NBA