Suns vs. Clippers Prediction & Odds
The fourth-seeded Phoenix Suns travel to L.A. to take on the #5-seed Clippers on TNT Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM ET in Game 4 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Can the Clippers cover the 7.5-point spread as home underdogs?
Phoenix leads the series 2-1.
The Phoenix Suns went 45-37 in the regular season. They are 2-1 in the playoffs this season. The Suns are 43-40-2 ATS on the year.
The Los Angeles Clippers went 44-38 in the regular season. They’re 1-2 in the playoffs this season. The Clippers are 42-43 ATS on the year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
565 Phoenix Suns (-7.5) at 566 Los Angeles Clippers (+7.5); O/U 226
3:30 PM ET, Saturday, April 22, 2023
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Suns vs. Clippers Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 60% of public bettors are currently backing the Suns -7.5 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.
Phoenix Suns DFS Spin
Phoenix point guard Cameron Payne is questionable for Saturday’s tilt with L.A. He’s dealing with lower back soreness. Payne hasn’t played since April 7th, and he averaged 10.3 points and 4.5 assists per game for the Suns in the regular season.
The Suns have made center Deandre Ayton an offensive focal point in the last few contests. Ayton is putting up 14.7 points and 10.7 rebounds while shooting 54.3% from the field in Phoenix’s three postseason games. Suns stars Chris Paul and Kevin Durant are both in their mid-30s, so Phoenix may turn to their younger players like Ayton and Devin Booker for some scoring punch on Saturday.
Los Angeles Clippers DFS Spin
Clippers forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will both miss Saturday’s home game against the Suns. Both players are dealing with knee injuries. Leonard is averaging 34.5 points per game in the Clippers’ two playoff games this season, while George averaged 23.8 points per game for L.A. in the regular season.
With both Leonard and George out of the mix, Clippers guard Norman Powell seems primed for a big game. The 6’3” UCLA alum is averaging 22.7 points per game on 54.5% shooting from the field in the Clippers’ three playoff games this year. Powell should slide into the starting lineup and put up at least 20 points against a somewhat suspect Suns’ defense on Saturday.
Suns vs. Clippers NBA Betting Trends
Phoenix is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games against a team with a winning home record.
Phoenix is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games.
Los Angeles is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following an outright loss.
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 first-round playoff games.
Suns vs. Clippers NBA Prediction
For the Clippers, not having Paul George and Kawhi Leonard is significant. But I don’t think it’s catastrophic. L.A. guard Norman Powell dropped 42 points in the Clippers’ narrow 129-124 loss to the Suns on Thursday. In that same game, Russell Westbrook dropped 30 and Bones Hyland poured in 20 points. The Clippers are deeper than the Suns when it comes to players 5-10 on the roster, and L.A.’s wing depth will likely play a pivotal role in the outcome of this contest. I’m not sure if the Clippers will win on Saturday, but they should keep it competitive throughout. I’ll take the Clippers and the points at home in Game 4 on Saturday.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS +7.5