Both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers are locked into their respective playoff positioning when they play at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday. It’ll be important to watch the injury reports to see if there are any surprise absences that may affect the line to move.
Phoenix (63-16) set a franchise record for wins and is locked into the Western Conference’s top seed. Los Angeles (39-40) will play as the eight seed in the play-in tournament, likely against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Suns will look to clinch the season series win, having won the last two meetings. The Clippers’ win came when Devin Booker sat for Phoenix, and Paul George was out for those meetings.
The line opened at Phoenix -3.5 with an over/under of 230.5, where it sticks as of this writing.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview: Get George going
After missing 43 consecutive games, George has returned to the Clippers lineup and playing in three of the last four games. He’s played better than 30 minutes and scored at least 15 points each game since his return. Continuing to find his rhythm is important for a team that weathered the storm while he and Kawhi Leonard were out.
Los Angeles did so by becoming one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the league and playing well defensively. They converted 37.0% of 3-pointers, the third-best mark in the league. Defensively the Clippers 11th, allowing 108.8 points per game, and sixth in efficiency, holding teams to 45.2% from the field.
Former Pistons Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris Sr., and Luke Kennard were the top three scorers. Kennard shot a team-best 45.0% on 3-pointers. Adding George to the mix gives the Clippers a lethal scorer they’ve been lacking.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview: Win both ends
Phoenix has the best record in the league, with ease, by being a top-10 team on both the offensive and defensive ends. The Suns are fourth in scoring at 115.0 points per contest and the most efficient team, converting 48.7% of attempts.
Defensively they are ninth at 107.2 points allowed per game but are better in efficiency. Their defensive efficiency is third overall, forcing teams to convert 44.4% from the field, and the best in 3-point defense, forcing teams to shoot 33.8%.
Booker has turned in an MVP-caliber season averaging 26.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. In this season series alone, he’s been the difference for Phoenix.
Deandre Ayton is averaging 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while anchoring the interior defense. Chris Paul hopes to get his first ring and is averaging 14.7 points, 10.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
Betting Prediction
Phoenix is 42-37 against the spread and 40-38-1 on over/unders this season while also going 31-8 on the road. The Clippers are 39-40 against the spread and 37-39-3 on over/unders while maintaining a 22-16 record at home.
Again, who is playing in this game remains to be seen. With both teams locked into their respective playoff positions, hold off until 90 minutes before tip-off to place the best when the active rosters come out. All parts equal, the Suns should win and cover.
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