Next up on our NBA schedule of best bets is this Game 5 showdown in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs between the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns. Tip-off from Footprint Center in Phoenix is scheduled for 10:00 pm EST on TNT.
This is one of three NBA matchups on the Tuesday night card, with the Suns leading the best-of-7 series three games to one with an opportunity to close things out on their home floor. Continue reading for a breakdown of this one, complete with our Clippers vs Suns prediction.
Clippers vs. Suns Odds
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Information
Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns
Location of the game: Footprint Center. Phoenix, Arizona.
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 25, 2023. 10:00 pm ET.
How to watch: TNT
Recent Scores
As noted, the NBA playoffs odds for the Suns have them on the verge of moving on to the Western Conference semifinals and can do so with a win on Tuesday night. The Clippers took the opener of the series, but Phoenix has won three consecutive games to take a commanding lead in the series, two of which have come by double-digits.
Be sure to bookmark InsidersBettingDigest for all of the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns game breakdowns. And keep reading for our Clippers vs Suns prediction.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Analysis
Superstar ailments have put a stain on an otherwise exciting opening round with names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant, Joel Embiid, and potentially De’Aaron Fox all missing time, not to mention suspensions to Draymond Green and Dejounte Murray.
The LA Clippers injury report might be the hardest hit of all, though. Paul George has missed the entire series, and Kawhi Leonard hasn’t been able to play since Game 2, both dealing with knee injuries. Neither will be in action for Game 5 against a Suns team that has had their full complement of stars for all four games on a roster fully reliant on their starting group.
Odds Breakdown for Clippers vs. Suns
Below are the NBA odds for this Game 5 matchup in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs:
Los Angeles Clippers
- Moneyline: +550
- Spread: +12.5
- Total: 223.5
Phoenix Suns
- Moneyline: -800
- Spread: -12.5
- Total: 223.5
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Pick and Prediction
Technically, this series features the second and third-highest scorers of the playoffs in Devin Booker and Kawhi Leonard when looking at NBA player stats. But Leonard has only played in two games, and the brunt of the load has gone to Norman Powell and Russell Westbrook in the absences of the Clippers’ other stars.
The NBA expert picks oddsmakers sense that this series will conclude on Tuesday night, and in blowout fashion, no less. NBA team stats show that only once this series have the Suns defeated the Clippers by more than 12 points. And while we agree that Phoenix will be moving on and the Clips will be left wondering“What if?”. Again, we don’t agree with the premise that this will be one-sided.
Powell and Westbrook have more than held their own and kept L.A. competitive in these games and keep in mind that the Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a straight-up loss of more than 10 points and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS loss.
Our final Clippers vs Suns prediction has Phoenix advancing, likely for a second-round showdown with the Nuggets, but Los Angeles covers this inflated number.
- Pick: Clippers +12.5
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