Suns vs. Trail Blazers Recap: Portland Opens 43-12, Wins 124-83

The Trail Blazers beat the Suns 124-83 in Portland, and the first quarter decided it. Portland won that quarter 43-12 and led 72-39 at halftime. Phoenix shot 36 percent from the field and 6 of 31 from three, while Portland hit 19 threes, won the boards 56-39 and finished with 32 assists. Both teams scored 17 in the fourth quarter. Two DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

ALT: Under 239.5 total points (-205 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: The main total was 231.5, so this alt gave eight points of room. These teams stayed under 239.5 in 17 of their last 20 combined games, Sharpe was out and Deni Avdija was questionable. - What happened: The game finished with 207 points, 32.5 under the line. Phoenix scored 12 in the first quarter and 83 for the game, and the teams combined for just 34 in the fourth. - Worth watching: Portland's starters played between 21 and 24 minutes each. Avdija played and posted 18 points and 10 rebounds, and the total still stayed far under, so the margin here came from the Phoenix offense going cold.

Devin Booker 20+ points (-271 DraftKings / -320 FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Booker scored 20+ in 9 of his last 10 and 56 of 70 last season. He was not on the injury report, and Mark Williams was out for Phoenix. - What happened: Booker scored 23 in 29 minutes, 3.5 over the 19.5 line. He shot 7 of 13, did not attempt a three and went 9 of 9 at the line. - Worth watching: He cleared this in limited minutes in a 41-point loss. Getting to the line nine times gave him a floor, and that matters most on nights when the rest of the offense stalls.

How the game played out

Damian Lillard led Portland with 25 points in 24 minutes, making 6 of 10 threes. Toumani Camara added 18 on 4 of 7 from deep, and Ja Morant had 14 points and 8 assists on 6 of 8 shooting with a +33. Donovan Clingan had 11 points and 7 rebounds, and Robert Williams III grabbed 10 boards in 15 minutes. For Phoenix, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green scored 10 each, and Collin Gillespie went 0 of 8.

Trends to watch

• Portland had 32 assists on 45 made baskets. With Lillard, Morant and Avdija all creating, assist props for those three are worth tracking.
• Booker took nine free throws and no threes. His points are coming from attacking, which gives his prop a steadier base than a shooting-dependent scorer.
• Phoenix shot 19 percent from three. Until that shooting turns, Phoenix totals are worth a close look.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. Learn more about totals and alt lines, or see today's NBA board.