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Suns vs. Clippers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read


Apr. 8, 2021
by Joe Williams
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Phoenix Suns (36-14) hit the road to battle against the Los Angeles Clippers (34-18) meet in a battle of the top two teams in the Pacific Division on Thursday at Staples Center at 10 p.m. ET. The game will be nationally televised on TNT.

The Suns enter on a seven-game winning streak since their last setback on March 24 in Orlando. Phoenix has alternated covers in each of the past nine, covering last time out in a 117-113 overtime win with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

The Clips polished off the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, winning 133-116 while covering as 6.5-point favorites. They are 2-0 SU/ATS in the past two at home after a pair of setbacks at home against Denver and Orlando from March 30-April 1.

Suns vs. Clippers Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Suns vs. Clippers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: L.A. Clippers -5
  • Money-Line: Clippers -200, Suns +175
  • Total: 224

The Suns continue to get very little respect from the books despite their first-place status. They were 2.5-point underdogs in the front end of the back-to-back, winning 117-113 in overtime against the Utah Jazz in Phoenix as the OVER connected.

Meanwhile, the Clippers head into this one three games back of the Suns, so this is an important game if they want to keep Phoenix within arm's length. After a pair of losses as a home favorite to the Magic and Suns, they have bounced back with solid victories and covers over the Lakers and Trail Blazers.


The Clippers seek their second victory over the Suns this season in an important Pacific Division battle. (AP)

Suns vs. Clippers Current Form-Last Game

The Suns picked up a 117-113 win over the Jazz in overtime on Wednesday night as DeAndre Ayton went for 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots while knocking down nine of his 16 field-goal attempts. Meanwhile, Devin Booker dropped 35 points while misfiring all six of his three-pointer attempts. Chris Paul was good for 29 points and nine assists, while hitting three triples.

Phoenix has flexed a lot of muscle on the offensive end of the floor, going for 117 or more points in each of the past five games. Conversely, defense has helped them a lot, allowing 110 or fewer points in seven of the past 11. Their offense gets a lot of the headlines, but the underrated defense has also been doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

The Clippers racked up a 17-point victory and cover. Kawhi Leonard was the man, going for 29 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists while turning it over just one time. Paul George also came up big with 36 points, including six triples, while Reggie Jackson chipped in with 23 points and four three-pointers. Overall, L.A. hit 52 percent from the field (46-of-89), including 39 percent (16-of-41) from behind the arc.

L.A. has won back-to-back games with two covers, and they're 8-2 SU/ATS across the past 10 outings. As a favorite of five or more points, the Clippers have posted a 6-1 ATS mark across the past seven contests.

Suns vs. Clippers Head-to-Head

  • Jan. 3, 2021 - Clippers 112 at Suns 107, L.A. -3.5, Over 215.5

It's hard to believe that these teams have faced each other just once so far this season. It was a good game right after the calendar was flipped from 2020 to 2021. The Clippers had balanced scoring, with four players going for 14 or more points. PG13 led the way with 39 points, hitting seven of his 10 three-pointers before fouling out after 38 minutes. Leonard went for 15 points, six rebounds and three assists, but he had an abysmal 4-of-21 shooting game.

Ayton was his usual, solid self, going for 24 points and eight rebounds while hitting 9-of-12 from the floor. Booker dropped 25 points with eight dimes and five boards, while CP3 had a solid line with 15 points, nine boards and six assists.

Against the number, the Clippers have dominated this series while going 10-3 ATS in the previous 13 meetings, while hitting in eight of the previous nine battles at Staples Center. The UNDER is also 5-2 in the past seven in L.A.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Phoenix Suns Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 35-14 SU, 32-17 ATS, 25-24 OU
  • Road: 17-6 SU, 15-8 ATS, 10-13 OU

The Suns are Top 10 in most every statistical category. They rank seventh in points (114.6), third in field-goal percentage (48.9), ninth in three-point shooting percentage (37.8) and third in free-throw shooting (83.2). Defensively they allow just 107.8 PPG to rank fifth, and they're ninth in defensive field-goal percentage (45.6).

Phoenix has covered in four in a row as an underdog, and six straight as a road underdog. In addition, they're 9-1 ATS in the past 10 on the road against teams with a winning home mark.

Perhaps more impressive is the fact the Suns are 27-5 ATS across the past 32 games against teams with a winning overall mark. And perhaps because they're a young team, they seem to bounce back quickly. Phoenix is 9-3 ATS in the past 12 in the second end of a back-to-back set.

The OVER has hit in five straight for the Suns, and six of the past seven as an underdog. The OVER is also 21-8 across the past 29 following a straight-up win.

L.A. Clippers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 34-18 SU, 30-22 ATS, 29-22-1 OU
  • Home: 19-8 SU, 16-11 ATS, 15-11-1 OU

The Clippers hit the OVER last time out, snapping a 3-0 UNDER run. L.A. had allowed 105 or fewer points in four straight before the Blazers dinged them for 116 points on Tuesday.

L.A. has covered in eight of the past 10 games overall, while going 6-1 ATS in the past seven games against teams with a winning overall record. In addition, they're 5-1 ATS in the past six when working on a day of rest. They're also 8-2 ATS in the past 10 at home, while cashing in seven of the past nine as a favorite.

As far as the totals are concerned, the UNDER is 4-1 in L.A.'s past five as a favorite, while going 15-5-3 in the past 23 against teams with a winning percentage over .600.

Key Injuries

Phoenix Suns

  • SF Abdel Nader: Knee - Out

L.A. Clippers

  • PF Serge Ibaka: Back - Out

Suns vs. Clippers Prediction

Both of these teams come in on a roll, with the Suns looking to flex a little muscle and finally gain some respect nationally. It seems that even though the Clippers are in second place, they still get way more attention that the boys from the Valley.

Phoenix has won seven in a row, including an overtime victory over the first-place Utah Jazz on Wednesday night as the OVER hit for the fifth straight game. Phoenix has scored 117 or more points in five in a row, too, and it's not wise to go against them. Los Angeles has been a little less consistent lately, and even though they have dominated this series against the number in the past, the Suns are the play here.

Score Prediction: Clippers 119 Suns 117
Best Bet: Suns +5
OVER 224

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