Suns vs. Clippers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

June 30, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Western Conference Finals will resume on Wednesday night with the Suns and Clippers set to square off at the Staples Center for a potential series-ending sixth matchup 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: Wednesday, June 30, 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: Pick-em
Money-Line: Phoenix -110, L.A. -110
Total: 215

After picking up a double-digit road victory on the brink of elimination in Game 5 (LAC +5.5), the Clippers return to the Staples Center for Game 6 as a one-point underdog against the visiting Suns.

The total for Wednesday’s event is currently stationed at OU 215 – which is the same number Game 5 opened at before falling to 213.5.

The Clippers look to stay alive as they trail the Suns, 3-2 headed back to L.A. for Wednesday's Game 6. (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, the Clippers’ supporting cast pulled remarkably more weight throughout the event to catapult them into contention – unfortunately, setting the stage for P.G. (26 points, 10-23) to shoot a pair of free throws that could potentially give his team a three-point lead with the shot clock turned off in the fourth quarter.

George clunked them both though, which instead gave Phoenix one last time down the floor to win the game – and they did, as DeAndre Ayton caught a lob from Jae Crowder in the closing moments of the contest to seal the Clippers’ third two-game deficit of the playoffs.

After missing the first two matchups of this series due to the league’s health and safety protocols, Phoenix superstar Chris Paul returned to the lineup in Game 3 – but surprisingly, he and Devin Booker posted terrible numbers from the field throughout the event, as the duo combined for just 30 points on 10-of-40 from during their team’s double-digit loss at the Staples Center.

In L.A.’s second home matchup of the series, Booker and Paul were relatively underwhelming again – contributing just 43 points on 14-of-44 shooting to the Clippers’ 84-point offensive performance in Game 4.

The Clippers’ backcourt nearly matched the duo’s sluggish offensive outing this time around though, as P.G. and Reggie Jackson scored over half their team’s points on 29.5% shooting in the fourth event – paving the way to L.A.’s third narrow loss of this WCF series.

In Game 5, Booker (31 points, 4-of-6 3P) finally came to life at the offensive end – but unfortunately, his teammates stayed ice-cold throughout the event, as the Suns’ other four starters shot a combined 1-of-11 from downtown on the way to Phoenix’s first double-digit loss in the Valley since mid-April.

Suns vs. Clippers Head-to-Head

Jun. 28, 2021 - Clippers 116 at Suns 102, L.A. +6.5, Over 213.5
Jun. 26, 2021 - Suns 84 at Clippers 80, Phoenix +1, Under 217.5
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: 62-25 SU, 52-33-2 ATS, 47-39-1 OU
Road: 29-14 SU, 24-17-2 ATS, 23-20 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.

Following their thrilling Game 7 victory over Brooklyn though, the Bucks (+110) immediately leapfrogged Phoenix (+150) as this year’s stand-alone title favorite.

Shortly after that, Phoenix dominated L.A. in consecutive home matchups to open the Western Conference Finals – eventually landing the Suns and Bucks as co-favorites to take home this year’s title (+110).

After losing Game 5 by double-digits in Phoenix though, the Suns’ title odds fell all the way down to +160 – as opposed to Milwaukee waltzing into Game 4 of its respective series boasting a hefty price tag of -114 to take it home.

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 57-33 SU, 50-39-1 ATS, 44-44-2 OU
Home: 31-14 SU, 26-19 ATS, 21-22-2 OU

After blowing a 3-1 lead in the second round against Denver last postseason, L.A. stared down the barrel of that same deficit against the Suns in this year’s WCF series – which appeared to be all she wrote for Ty Lue’s team on the year, as the Clippers’ title odds got pumped up to +3200 following their heartbreaking loss at the Staples Center in Game 4.

That number was quickly deflated after the Clippers’ impressive road victory in Game 5 though, as L.A. heads into Wednesday’s sixth matchup +400 to win the series and +800 to take home the title.

Key Injuries

Phoenix Suns

None

Los Angeles Clippers

C Ivica Zubac: Knee - Questionable
SF Kawhi Leonard: Knee - Out
C Serge Ibaka: Back - Out

Suns vs. Clippers Player Prop Best Bet

Reggie Jackson – Over 20.5 Points (-110)

After averaging 22.5 points on 49% shooting across his last six outings, Jackson effortlessly kept his scoring streak alive with his team resting on the brink of elimination in Game 5 – contributing 23 points on 57% shooting to the Clippers’ gutsy double-digit victory this past Monday.

I’ll ride with Jackson again here – as he’s failed to reach 20 points in just one contest since Leonard’s latest injury.