Suns vs. Clippers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

June 26, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Western Conference Finals will resume on Saturday night with the Suns and Clippers set to square off at the Staples Center for a pivotal Game 4 at nine o’clock Eastern time on ESPN.

Suns vs. Clippers Betting Resources

Matchup: Western Conference Playoffs
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: STAPLES Center
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: Saturday, June 26, 2021
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Suns vs. Clippers

Subject to Change

Spread: Suns -1
Money-Line: Phoenix -115, L.A. -105
Total: 218.5

After bouncing back from consecutive road losses with a gutsy home win in Game 3, the Clippers return to the Staples Center for Game 4 of this series as a one-point underdog against the visiting Suns – which is roughly the same line as Game 3 (LAC +1.5).

The over-under for Saturday’s event has fallen to OU 218.5 – marking the first time the total for a matchup containing either of these teams has been set below 220 since the first round of the playoffs.

The Clippers look to capitalize off a Game 3 win as they seek a series split with the Suns on Saturday night. (AP)

Suns vs. Clippers Current Form

After posting a pair of thrilling come-from-behind series wins to start this year’s playoffs, the Clippers’ tedious postseason path appeared to finally catch up with them in Game 1 against Phoenix – as Paul George admirably kept L.A. competitive for most of the opener by scoring 33 points on 48% from the field across the first three quarters.

P.G. completely ran out of gas in the fourth though, as the seven-time All-Star ended up missing all his field-goal attempts across the final 12 minutes of the event (1 point, 0-5 FG) – inevitably allowing Phoenix to distance itself and escape with a 1-0 series lead.

In Game 2, L. A.’s supporting cast pulled remarkably more weight throughout the event to catapult Ty Lue’s team into contention – unfortunately, setting the stage for P.G. (26 points, 10-23) to shoot a pair of free throws that could potentially put the Suns down three points with the shot clock turned off in the fourth quarter.

George clunked them both though, ultimately giving Phoenix one last time down the floor with a chance to win it instead – and they did, as DeAndre Ayton caught a lob from Jae Crowder in the closing moments of the contest to seal L.A.’s third straight two-game deficit this postseason.

After missing the previous two contests with a covid-19 related absence, Chris Paul finally rejoined Phoenix’s lineup for Game 3 in Los Angeles – which had many wondering if the Suns were destined to crack out the brooms in a second straight series.

Devin Booker and Chris Paul were unusually terrible on the road in Game 3 though, as Phoenix’s superstar backcourt combined for just 30 points on 10-of-40 from the field at the Staples Center this past Thursday – consequently paving the way to a double-digit home victory for the Clippers.

Suns vs. Clippers Head-to-Head

Jun. 24, 2021 - Clippers 106 vs. Suns 92, L.A. +1.5, Under 221
Jun. 22, 2021 - Suns 104 vs. Clippers 103, L.A. +4.5, Under 223
Jun. 20, 2021 - Suns 120 vs. Clippers 114, Phoenix -4, Over 219.5
Apr. 28, 2021 - Suns 109 vs. Clippers 101, Phoenix -4.5, Under 220
Apr. 8, 2021 - Clippers 113 vs. Suns 103, L.A. -6, Under 220.5
Jan. 3, 2021 - Clippers 112 at Suns 107, L.A. -3.5, Over 215.5

The Clippers picked up wins in two of three matchups against Phoenix during the regular season – with all three of those events containing less than 220 points scored in them (215 PPG).

Ironically, L.A.’s two regular-season victories over Phoenix were centered around George, as P.G. racked up an average of 36 points on 63% shooting across those events – compared to Kawhi’s average of 21 points on 34% in them.

Leonard didn’t participate in their final regular-season bout though, and the Suns finally moved the needle back in the other direction– as Phoenix beat L.A. by eight at home behind a 49-point combined effort from Booker and Paul to close these teams’ regular-season set.

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

Phoenix Suns Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 61-24 SU, 51-32-2 ATS, 46-38-1 OU
Road: 28-14 SU, 23-17-2 ATS, 23-19 OU

Even though the Suns (+250) lost just two playoff games on their way to the Western Conference Finals, Brooklyn (+220) still went into their Game 7 loss against Milwaukee (+450) slightly favored to take home this year’s championship.

After eliminating the Nets in thrilling Game 7 though, the Bucks (+110) immediately leapfrogged Phoenix (+150) as this year’s stand-alone title favorite.

Shortly after, the Suns (+110) dominated L. A. in back-to-back home matchups to start the Western Conference Finals – which left us with a set of co-favorites to take home this year’s title.

Even after Milwaukee dropped Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at home – the Bucks and Suns are still deadlocked as this year’s current title favorite at +140.

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 56-32 SU, 49-38-1 ATS, 43-43-2 OU
Home: 31-13 SU, 26-18 ATS, 21-21-2 OU

After following up back-to-back losses with a win to open their third consecutive playoff series, the Clippers officially have basketball fans wondering if Lue actually devised some wicked new strategy for his team to sneak through the postseason – or if his squad is simply prone to starting slow in extended matchups.

I would argue though, that despite pulling off the upset in Game 3, the Clippers’ slow start somewhat lingered at the Staples Center this past Thursday – considering Phoenix stayed competitive throughout a contest Paul and Booker shot a combined 10-of-40 in.

Key Injuries

Phoenix Suns

PG Cameron Payne: Ankle - Questionable

Los Angeles Clippers

SF Kawhi Leonard: Knee - Out
C Serge Ibaka: Back - Out

Suns vs. Clippers Player Prop Best Bet

Devin Booker – To Score 30+ Points (+128)

After going off for a monster 40-point triple-double in Game 1 against the Clippers, Booker went ice cold at the offensive end in Games 2 and 3 – averaging just 17.5 points on 27% from the field across those events.

I’ll back him to have a big night in Game 4 though, as shots are bound to start falling for Phoenix’s superstar – and in Booker’s case, they typically fall in bunches.