The Clippers four-game winning streak finally came to an end on Monday but the team has still won 12 of their last 14 games. Meanwhile, the Suns picked up a big win against the New York Knicks on Monday to snap their two-game losing streak. In what could be a playoff series preview, which team has the upper hand?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Los Angeles is just 1-3-1 against the spread in their past five games when playing on the road. That number has the potential to fall once again as the team will be going head-to-head with a strong Phoenix team that was just able to break the nine-game win streak of the Knicks a few days ago.

On the other hand, Phoenix is 26-9 this season when coming off of one day of rest. That rest day should be more than enough time for the Suns to collect themselves and come into this matchup prepared.  Phoenix opened as a 3-point favourite to win on the NBA odds.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are 43-20 on the year and they appear to be peaking at the right time. With the playoffs approaching, they’ve won 12 of their last 14 games. The issue is that they can rarely stay healthy. Their starting lineup has fluctuated so much throughout this season. The team is hoping to get each of their stars on the court for this matchup as the duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George has been fantastic. Leonard averages 25.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, while George puts up 23.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Outside of those two, their bench depth is deep. Picking up Rajon Rondo at the trade deadline has been a huge boon for them and has allowed them so much more flexibility in their rotations. Not to mention the addition of Luke Kennard and Serge Ibaka in the offseason. The Clippers are on a roll right now and they haven’t even been fully healthy for most of their recent games.

Phoenix Suns

Phoenix tinkered with their roster – similar to the Clippers – and it has worked out well. The addition of Chris Paul has taken them to entirely new heights this season as he’s scoring 16.1 points while adding 4.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game. His leadership though has allowed for the younger guys on this team to develop while also getting easier shots for this offence with his vision and court presence. Devin Booker has been outstanding in his own right, averaging 25.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game for the team. Booker and Paul have formed a formidable duo in the backcourt, but it also helps when you have a guy like Deandre Ayton in the front court, averaging a double-double on the season with 15.0 points and 10.7 rebounds. If Phoenix can continue to play their brand of basketball, they’ll have a shot here.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Clippers vs. Suns?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Clippers Team Leaders

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 24.85
Assists	Rajon Rondo 5.78
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 7.21
FG%	Ivica Zubac 65.2
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 1.56
Blocks	Serge Ibaka 1.15

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 25.55
Assists	Chris Paul 8.89
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 10.54
FG%	Deandre Ayton 62.6
Steals	Chris Paul 1.41
Blocks	Deandre Ayton 1.17

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 30.36
Assists	Paul George 5.37
Rebounds	Paul George 9.63
FG%	Amir Coffey 75
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 2.09
Blocks	Serge Ibaka 1.5

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.32
Assists	Chris Paul 8.55
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 11.82
FG%	Ty-Shon Alexander 100
Steals	Chris Paul 1.15
Blocks	Deandre Ayton 1.09

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Suns Team Leaders

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 24.85
Assists	Rajon Rondo 5.78
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 7.21
FG%	Ivica Zubac 65.2
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 1.56
Blocks	Serge Ibaka 1.15

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 25.55
Assists	Chris Paul 8.89
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 10.54
FG%	Deandre Ayton 62.6
Steals	Chris Paul 1.41
Blocks	Deandre Ayton 1.17

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 30.36
Assists	Paul George 5.37
Rebounds	Paul George 9.63
FG%	Amir Coffey 75
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 2.09
Blocks	Serge Ibaka 1.5

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.32
Assists	Chris Paul 8.55
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 11.82
FG%	Ty-Shon Alexander 100
Steals	Chris Paul 1.15
Blocks	Deandre Ayton 1.09

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

Ivica Zubac (C)

Out Wed Knee - 28 / 06 / 21

Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)

Ques Sat Knee - 25 / 06 / 21

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Ques Thurs Head - 23 / 06 / 21

Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)

Ques Tues Knee - 21 / 06 / 21

Serge Ibaka (PF)

out for season Back - 27 / 05 / 21

Reggie Jackson (PG)

Prob Sat Achilles - 21 / 05 / 21

DeMarcus Cousins (C)

Ques Fri Foot - 15 / 05 / 21

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21

Reggie Jackson (PG)

Ques Sun Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21

Terance Mann (SG)

Ques Sun Personal - 14 / 05 / 21

Phoenix

Torrey Craig (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 07 / 21

Dario Saric (SF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 06 / 07 / 21

Cameron Johnson (PF)

Ques Tues Illness - 30 / 06 / 21

Cameron Payne (PG)

Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21

Cameron Payne (PG)

day-to-day Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21

Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)

Ques Wed Illness - 03 / 06 / 21

Jae Crowder (SF)

Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21

Deandre Ayton (C)

Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 05 / 21

Cameron Johnson (PF)

Prob Sun Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21

Cameron Johnson (PF)

Prob Sun Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Ivica Zubac (C)	Out Wed	Knee - 28 / 06 / 21	1-1	1-1	+ -
Zubac is dealing with a right knee MCL sprain, and he will not be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Suns.
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)	Ques Sat	Knee - 25 / 06 / 21	3-1	1-3	+ -
Morris Sr. is battling a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference final.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Ques Thurs	Head - 23 / 06 / 21	3-2	2-3	+ -
Beverley is bothered by a head injury, leaving his status for Game 3 of the Western Conference versus the Suns up in the air.
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)	Ques Tues	Knee - 21 / 06 / 21	3-2	2-3	+ -
Morris Sr. is managing a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will take on the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	out for season	Back - 27 / 05 / 21	11-6	9-8	+ -
Ibaka will miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season after undergoing back surgery.
Reggie Jackson (PG)	Prob Sat	Achilles - 21 / 05 / 21	11-8	10-9	+ -
Jackson is expected to face the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round despite left Achilles soreness.
DeMarcus Cousins (C)	Ques Fri	Foot - 15 / 05 / 21	12-9	11-10	+ -
Cousins is dealing with left foot soreness, and it is unknown if he will play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Mavericks.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 14 / 05 / 21	12-9	11-10	+ -
Beverley will be handed a day of rest and will not be available against the Rockets on Friday.
Reggie Jackson (PG)	Ques Sun	Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21	12-9	11-10	+ -
Jackson sat out the last game due to an Achilles injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Thunder on Sunday.
Terance Mann (SG)	Ques Sun	Personal - 14 / 05 / 21	12-9	11-10	+ -
Mann was held out of the previous game due to a personal matter, and it is uncertain if he will face the Thunder on Sunday.

Phoenix

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Torrey Craig (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 09 / 07 / 21	2-3	3-1-1	+ -
Craig is bothered by a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks.
Dario Saric (SF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 06 / 07 / 21	3-3	4-1-1	+ -
Saric has torn his right ACL and he will miss an extended period.
Cameron Johnson (PF)	Ques Tues	Illness - 30 / 06 / 21	3-4	5-1-1	+ -
Johnson is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Cameron Payne (PG)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21	4-6	5-4-1	+ -
Payne is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference final versus the Clippers.
Cameron Payne (PG)	day-to-day	Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21	4-6	5-4-1	+ -
Payne was lifted from Thursday's game with a left ankle injury, and he will not return.
Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)	Ques Wed	Illness - 03 / 06 / 21	11-6	9-7-1	+ -
Alexander is ailing from an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets.
Jae Crowder (SF)	Out Sun	Rest - 16 / 05 / 21	14-8	11-10-2	+ -
Crowder will not suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Spurs, as he will be given a day of rest.
Deandre Ayton (C)	Prob Sun	Knee - 13 / 05 / 21	14-10	12-11-2	+ -
Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers.
Cameron Johnson (PF)	Prob Sun	Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21	15-12	15-11-2	+ -
Johnson has been out of commission due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference first round.
Cameron Johnson (PF)	Prob Sun	Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21	17-13	18-11-2	+ -
Johnson is tending to a sprained right wrist, but he is likely to take the court Sunday versus the Thunder.