The Los Angeles Clippers head to Phoenix Suns Arena this Monday to take on the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals. The Clippers are in a 3-1 hole and open as 5.5-point underdogs on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the totals are set at 214.5 points.
The Suns earned a huge victory last Saturday, outlasting the Clippers at even odds at Staples Center in LA, 84-80. They’ve won the first two games on the home court, 120-114 and 104-103, going 1-1 ATS in the process, while the Clippers have defeat Phoenix 106-92 in Game 2 as 1-point home underdogs. The under is 3-1 in this series, so let’s see what’s the best Clippers vs. Suns betting pick for Monday night.
The Clippers trailed for all 48 minutes in Game 4
The Los Angeles Clippers rallied from a 16-point deficit last Saturday but couldn’t get the job done down the stretch. They had a terrible shooting night, as well as the Suns, but the Clippers were really, really terrible, making just 32.5% of their field goals and 16.1% of their 3-pointers (5-for-31).
“We had a chance to take the lead on 12 possessions and couldn’t do it, “LA head coach Tyronn Lue said. “It just wouldn’t fall for us.”
The Clippers are still without Kawhi Leonard (knee), who’s probably done for the season. Paul George leads the way in Kawhi’s absence, averaging 27.5 points and 10.3 rebounds through the first four games against the Suns.
George had 23 points and 16 boards in Game 4, but he made only five of his 20 attempts from the field. The Clippers need to step up offensively after making just 42.0% of their field goals and 34.2% of their 3-pointers in the conference finals.
The Suns are one step away from the NBA Finals thanks to their defense
The Phoenix Suns shot a poor 36.0% from the field and 20.0% from downtown (4-for-20) and still won Game 4 to take a huge lead ahead of Monday’s clash in Arizona. Devin Booker went 8-for-22 from the field, while Chris Paul made just six of his 22 shots, but Deandre Ayton didn’t disappoint, finishing with 19 points and 22 rebounds.
Also, Ayton went 8-for-14 from the field while posting nine offensive rebounds. He had four blocks, playing a pivotal role in the Suns’ excellent defensive performance.
The Suns are yielding only 100.8 points per game this postseason, holding their opponents to 42.2% shooting from the field and 32.7% from beyond the 3-point line. They’re scoring 107.9 points in a return on 47.3% shooting from the field and 36.2% from beyond the arc.
Ayton has been terrific through four tilts against LA, averaging 20.3 points and 13.5 rebounds a night, while Booker has added 25.0 points and 5.3 assists per contest.
Trends:
LA Clippers:
- 6-2 ATS in the last eight games overall
Phoenix:
- 6-13 ATS in the last 19 games against the Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Pick:
Three of four games in this series were decided by six or fewer points, and I’m expecting another thrilling clash, as the Clippers are playing with their backs against the wall. Therefore, I would buy a couple of points and take the visitors to cover a 7.5-point spread.
LA certainly has enough weapons to keep it close despite Kawhi Leonard’s absence. The Suns will continue to lean on their defense, and I would be surprised if they win comfortably because the Clippers showed they can play tough defense, too.
NBA Free Pick: Take Los Angeles Clippers +7.5 at -150
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Total:
I’m not going to overthink the totals after the Clippers and Suns have combined for 164 points in Game 4. The under has hit in five of their previous six encounters, and four of those six contests produced fewer than 214 points in total.
Both Phoenix and LA prefer to play at a slow pace. The Suns record 94.4 possessions per 48 minutes, while the Clippers register just 92.4.
Pick: Go under 214.5 points at -110