Clippers vs. Suns Prediction & Odds
The fifth-seeded LA Clippers travel to Phoenix to take on the #4-seed Suns on TNT Tuesday night at 10:00 PM ET in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Can the Suns cover the 12-point spread as home favorites?
Phoenix leads the series 3-1.
The Los Angeles Clippers went 44-38 in the regular season. They are 1-3 in the playoffs this season. The Clippers are 42-44 ATS on the year.
The Phoenix Suns went 45-37 in the regular season. They’re 3-1 in the playoffs this season. The Suns are 44-40-2 ATS on the year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
523 Los Angeles Clippers (+12) at 524 Phoenix Suns (-12); O/U 224
10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Clippers vs. Suns Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 74% of public bettors are currently backing the Clippers +12 in this contest. Note that these numbers are subject to change, so be sure to check the link to receive the most up-to-date public betting data.
Los Angeles Clippers DFS Spin
Clippers star forwards Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will both miss Tuesday night’s game against the Suns. They are both dealing with knee injuries. George and Leonard tied for the team lead in scoring during the regular season as they both averaged 23.8 points per game.
One player that has stepped up in the absence of George and Leonard is Los Angeles point guard Russell Westbrook. The 34-year-old UCLA alum is averaging 26 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in four playoff games for the Clippers this year. Westbrook’s high effort and energy level make him a worthy DFS play, and his determination may be one of the reasons this game ends up being close.
Phoenix Suns DFS Spin
Phoenix backup point guard Cameron Payne has missed the first four games of this playoff series with a back injury, but he’s listed as probable for Game 5 in Phoenix on Tuesday. Payne averaged 10.3 points and 4.5 assists per game in 20.2 minutes per contest for Phoenix in the regular season.
Phoenix shooting guard Devin Booker has been the team’s best player in this series. In four playoff games, Booker is putting up 34.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 2.5 made three-pointers per contest. Booker’s shooting splits are terrific as well, as he’s shooting 57/44/86 on field goals, three-pointers, and free throws in the playoffs thus far. The price might be steep in DFS, but Devin Booker could be well worth it in Game 5 on Tuesday.
Clippers vs. Suns NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following an outright loss of more than 10 points.
Los Angeles is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS loss.
Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS win.
Phoenix is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 2 days’ rest.
Clippers vs. Suns NBA Prediction
I understand why this line is as high as it is, but I still think it’s too high. Los Angeles might not have Paul George or Kawhi Leonard for this game, but they will have Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell. Westbrook and Powell are both averaging over 20 points per game in this series, and both players are willing defenders that will play hard. The effort put forth by those two players should prevent this from being a blowout.
For Phoenix, they may look to rest their star players a little bit. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton are all averaging 34+ minutes per game in this series. Durant is 34 years old and Chris Paul is 37. I could see Phoenix trying to win this game while playing Durant and Paul for fewer minutes than in the first four games of this series. If they try to do that, I don’t think the Suns will win in a blowout. I think the Clippers play for pride and cover the number in Phoenix on Tuesday.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS +12
