The 2021 NBA Playoffs continue Thursday night with Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, so here’s the best Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers betting pick along with the team stats, news, and latest odds update.
The Clippers are in a 2-0 hole, opening as 1-point home favorites for Thursday’s clash at Staples Center. The totals sit at 218.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook, and the under has hit in three of the last four matchups between Phoenix and LA.
The Suns hope Chris Paul could return for Game 3
The Phoenix Suns have won the first two games of this series playing without Chris Paul (COVID-19), and the All-NBA guard could be in the lineup for Game 3 in LA. He needs to clear the protocols in the next 24 hours, while the Suns looked pretty optimistic about Paul’s case on Wednesday.
Phoenix won the opener 120-114 as 4-point favorites on the back of Devin Booker’s triple-double (40 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists). Booker struggled in a 104-103 Game 2 victory this past Tuesday, finishing with 20 points (5-for-16 from the field), four boards, five dimes, and probably a broken nose.
Booker will wear a mask and play Thursday in LA. He’s averaging 28.3 points and 5.3 dimes on the postseason, while Deandre Ayton is adding 16.3 points and 10.8 boards a night. Cameron Payne has been terrific in Paul’s absence and an X-factor through the previous two contests. He dropped 29 points on the Clippers in Game 2 to go with nine assists and a couple of steals and blocks.
The Clippers need to overcome a tough loss
The Los Angeles Clippers were so close to upsetting the odds as 6-point underdogs in Game 2, but they failed to defend a one-point lead with 0.8 seconds left on the clock. It was a tough, tough loss for the shorthanded Clippers who’ll probably miss Kawhi Leonard for the rest of the series.
The Claw is sidelined with a knee injury, and the Clippers haven’t made any announcements for Game 3. However, the lack of clarity on Kawhi’s injury is quite concerning, and it seems that Leonard will stay on the shelf Thursday.
The Clippers played much better defense in Game 2 than they did in the opener. They allowed the Suns to make just six triples out of 26 attempts (23.1%). Also, Phoenix had only two fast-break points after scoring 16 in Game 1. The Clippers need to stay focused defensively, as that’s the only way they stand a chance against the relentless Suns team.
Trends:
Phoenix:
- 5-12 ATS in the last 17 games against the Clippers
LA Clippers:
- 5-1 ATS in the last six games overall
- 4-1 ATS in the last five games at home
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Pick:
After a couple of thrillers in Arizona, we should see another tight contest Thursday in California even though Chris Paul should return to the Suns’ lineup. Kawhi’s absence is a huge blow for the Clippers, but I think LA is capable of grabbing a win in this series, so I’ll take the hosts in Game 3.
The Clippers certainly have enough talent on the defensive end to keep it close against the Suns. I just hope they’ll figure it out on the offensive end, as Phoenix is allowing only 102.1 points per contest this postseason.
Free NBA Picks: Take Los Angeles Clippers -1.0 at -105
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Total:
My best Suns vs. Clippers betting pick is the under on the totals, and I would by a few points just in case of another dramatic finish. Four of the last five encounters between Phoenix and LA produced fewer than 220 points in total, while both teams prefer to play at a slow pace.
The Clippers are averaging only 92.4 possessions per 48 minutes this postseason. On the other side, the Suns are recording 94.8 possessions per 48 minutes while surrendering just 107.7 points per 100 possessions.
Pick: Go under 222.5 points at -160