Why Are Sharps Turning Away from the Suns? The Unexpected Rise of the Trail Blazers to Watch This Tuesday

The real NBA season begins Tuesday (the playoffs, when guys allegedly care) with a 2026 Play-In Tournament doubleheader. Out West, the #7 Phoenix Suns host the #8 Portland Trail Blazers for a 10 p.m. ET tip-off at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Phoenix is a -2.5 to -3.5 favorite, depending on where you look. 

I know casual-to-non-NBA fans are confused about the play-in tourney. But, to simplify it here, whoever wins clinches the 7-seed and faces the #2 San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2026 Western Conference Playoffs. The loser plays the winner of the #9 Los Angeles Clippers and #10 Golden State Warriors in a do-or-die game for the final playoff spot. 

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