The Los Angeles Clippers will take on the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Clippers-Suns prediction and pick.
This game is a potential preview of a Western Conference playoff matchup. The Clippers are currently the eighth seed in the West with a 29-30 record behind a stifling defense. Meanwhile, the Suns have looked like the best team in the entire league for the length of this season. Their 46-10 record has come as a result of fantastic play from guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker, a duo that will be put to the test against a familiar foe in Los Angeles.
Here are the Clippers-Suns NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Clippers-Suns Odds
Los Angeles Clippers: +13 (-110)
Phoenix Suns: -13 (-110)
Over: 222 (-110)
Under: 222 (-110)
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Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
Los Angeles will rely on its defense to win. The Clippers rank top-10 in multiple defensive categories, including field goal percentage allowed, three pointers allowed and blocks per game. They just held the Golden State Warriors to 104 points in a home win, showing they're capable of shutting down elite offenses. Los Angeles' defense should be able to slow down the fantastic Phoenix offense.
Helping the Clippers is the fact that the Suns will be playing this game without some key players. Guards Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet will likely miss this game with wrist and ankle injuries, respectively. Both of those guys are important backups who play plenty of minutes off of the bench. Their absences will force the Suns to play Aaron Holiday and Cameron Johnson for a huge portion of this contest.
Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread
While their offense is obviously fantastic, it's hard to overlook the Suns' defense. Phoenix only gives up 105 points per game while holding their opponents to 44% shooting from the field. They also allow their opponents to shoot 33% from beyond the arc, one of the best numbers in the NBA. Those stats should play well against a mediocre Clippers offense that only puts up 106 points per game. Los Angeles doesn't shoot particularly well from the field, either, so the Suns will likely shut down Los Angeles' offense.
In addition to owning the best record in the league, the Suns are one of the best teams in the NBA when it comes to covering the spread. Phoenix is 32-24 ATS on the year, and their numbers in games like this are solid. They're 15-14 when they enter a game as a home favorite, with the same record against the spread as a home team in general. This could be a good spot to pick the best team in the league to cover.
Final Clippers-Suns Prediction & Pick
This spread seems far too large. Los Angeles has won two games in a row against the Warriors and Dallas Mavericks, two of the better teams in the West. They should maintain that momentum and pull off a cover against another Western Conference titan in the Suns.
Final Clippers-Suns Prediction & Pick: Los Angeles Clippers: +13 (-110)
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