Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Predictions, Odds, Picks

Dec. 13, 2021
Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

For the first time this season we have a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals, one that saw the Suns advance over the Clippers. The two teams will square off Monday night at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBATV.

Score Prediction

Suns 114, Clippers 105

Best Bets

Suns -2.5 (-110) at Circa Sports

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Predictions

The Suns are hoping to get at least one of their stars back soon, as they got a win on Friday without both Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. While the latter is anticipating his return from illness on Monday, Booker is still out with a hamstring. The Suns still have the best record in the NBA and present a major problem for a struggling Clippers team – especially on defense around the rim.

JaVale McGee stepped right into the void left by Ayton, and while the Suns should get their star center back, McGee now provides depth the Clippers can’t match. The Suns should own the boards against Ivica Zubac, as the Clippers get a lot of their rebounds from Paul George and the perimeter.

Paul George has missed the last two games with an elbow injury and is doubtful for Monday’s game against the Suns. So are the Clippers chances to win this game, or even cover. The Suns have a top 5 defense and are going to attack the Clippers all night, especially without George. LA now faces a difficult battle without their top two All-NBA players, so the Clippers are going to need more against the league’s best team than what they did against Orlando and Boston.

Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard are going to have to keep pace with Chris Paul and a Suns team that looks like it never had Booker. The Clippers aren’t built to last without both George and Kawhi Leonard.

Phoenix has won two straight and four of their last five games, following a beating at the hands of the Warriors. The Suns have been able to beat bad teams, not just teams with a worse record. They hit the road for two quick games including Monday night against the Clippers. Not having Booker or Ayton will eventually catch up to the Suns, but for now they are cruising behind Paul and Mikal Bridges – who is shooting the lights out in a greater scoring role.

The Suns have nine players that average 9+ points but they all play quality minutes, as opposed to the Clippers who are watching more guys take over bigger roles with stars sitting out games. The worst dynamic for the Clippers isn’t even the absence of George, so much as the exhaustion level that’s kicked in for this team. The Clippers are on their 9th game in 16 days, and it was already taking its toll on Saturday against the Magic.

Reggie Jackson and Kennard must hit somewhere in the mid to high 20’s to give this Clippers team a shot, and both looked like they were dragging towards the end of the Magic game. With Zubac relegated to a decent body down low, guys like Terrance Mann might need to explode for 20+ just to keep LA in the game.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Pacific
  • Date: Monday, December 13, 2021
  • Venue: STAPLES Center
  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • TV-Time: NBATV - 10:30 p.m. ET

Phoenix Suns Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 21-4
  • ATS: 13-12
  • O/U: 10-15

Booker is the leading scorer for the Suns with 23.2 PPG off 45.8 percent shooting. Booker adds 4.9 RPG and 4.5 APG. Ayton is next in scoring with 16.3 PPG and 11.1 RPG. Ayton is shooting just over 61 percent. Paul averages a double-double with 14.4 PPG and 10.2 APG. Bridges is scoring 12.2 PPG off 53.9 percent shooting. The Suns Frank Kaminsky averages 10.6 PPG. JaVale McGee averages 10 PPG and 7 RPG.

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 15-12
  • ATS: 12-15
  • O/U: 12-15

George has led the Clippers all year with 25 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 5.4 APG. Reggie Jackson adds 17.5 PPG but then there’s a significant drop in scoring. Marcus Morris is the third leading scorer with 11.9 PPG, followed by Kennard at 11.3 PPG and Zubac at 10 PPG. Zubac is the team’s leading rebounder with 8.1 RPG.


Phoenix has won 19 straight games when playing as the favorite. (AP)

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Head-to-Head

This is the first time the two teams will meet following Phoenix knocking off the Clippers in last year’s Western Conference Finals. Things look a little different this time around, as Booker, George, and Leonard are all out with injury.

Key Players to Watch

  • PHO: Devin Booker - G (23.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.5 apg)
  • PHO: Chris Paul - G (14.4 ppg, 10.2 apg)
  • LAC: Paul George - G (25 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 5.4 apg)
  • LAC: Reggie Jackson - G (17.5 ppg, 4 apg)

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Conclusion

The data for the Clippers isn’t great but it just makes it impossible to ride this team down Paul George. The Clippers were fighting and struggling without their other All-Star, but at least figuring things out to stay above .500 with just George leading the ship.

The Suns are 21-4 and are only laying 3.5 points on the road against a team without its best player. Expect LA to fight and put up some points, but their exhaustion level is through the roof, and will eventually be their undoing.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

  • Los Angeles has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven home games.
  • Phoenix has won 19 straight games when playing as the favorite.
  • Phoenix has gone UNDER the point total in five of its last six games.