Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Prediction, NBA Odds
-
Andrew Rogers
The Los Angeles Clippers did well early in the season to make up for the absence of Kawhi Leonard – but they’ve fallen on hard times as they prepare to face the host Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. The Clippers have dropped seven of 10 to fall to the .500 mark for the season, and they’re massive underdogs against a Phoenix team that is looking like a prime contender to defend its Western Conference title.
The Suns are 10.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 220.5.
Clippers vs. Suns NBA Betting Odds
This marks the eighth time already in 2021-22 that the Suns have been favoured by 10 or more points – and the results have been mostly positive, with Phoenix going 7-0 straight up and 4-3 against the spread. And in each of those three non-covers, the Suns still won by at least nine points. The Clippers have been double-digit underdogs twice this season prior to Thursday, dropping a 21-point decision to Utah on Dec. 15 before upsetting Brooklyn 120-116 on New Year’s Day.
The Suns have the support of 68 per cent of Sports Interaction bettors to pull off the ATS win, while nearly two-thirds are on the O221 play at -110. Both teams have skewed slightly toward the Under for the season, with the Suns at 18-19 and the Clippers at 17-21. But Los Angeles has converted the Over in four of its previous five games, with each of those contests producing more than 223 points. And Phoenix has an 8-3 O/U mark in its last 11.
Los Angeles Clippers
Few teams could overcome the roster absences that the Clippers are dealing with at the moment. In addition to Leonard, the Clippers have been without superstar Paul George since Dec. 22 with a torn ligament in his shooting elbow. And if that weren’t enough, big man Ivica Zubac and Luke Kennard won’t play due to COVID-19 protocols. Look for the offence to continue to run through the backcourt duo of Eric Bledsoe and Reggie Jackson.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns must feel confident heading into this one; they’re taking the opportunity to give several players a breather. Centres DeAndre Ayton and JaVale McGee and forward Jae Crowder will all sit this one out for conditioning purposes – and with Frank Kaminsky and Dario Saric still out due to injury, the Phoenix frontcourt will be alarmingly thin. Expect big minutes from third-year forward Cameron Johnson and second-year centre Jalen Smith.
LAC
PHO