Suns vs. Clippers Prediction, Odds, Line, Time: 2023 NBA Playoff Picks, Game 2 Betting from Model on 71-37 Run
One of the most intriguing matchups of the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs continues Tuesday night. Footprint Center hosts Game 2 between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers won the opener of the series on the road by a 115-110 margin, and LA is looking to steal another road tilt in the follow-up. The Clippers are the No. 5 and aim to upset the No. 4 Suns, with Phoenix posting a 28-13 regular season record at home. Paul George (knee) stays out for the Clippers while Cameron Payne (back) is listed as a questionable for the Suns.
Tipoff is at 10 p.m. ET in Phoenix. Caesars Sportsbook lists Phoenix as a 7.5-point home favorite while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas believes will be scored, is 225.5 in the latest Clippers vs. Suns odds. Before you decide on Suns vs. Clippers, you must see SportsLine’s advanced computer model NBA playoff predictions and betting recommendations.
The SportsLine projection model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has generated well over $10,000 in profits for $100 players for the past 4+ seasons with its top-tier NBA picks. Entering the 2023 NBA Play-in Tournament with a stunning 71-36 on all of this season’s top NBA picks, the model grossed over $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now the model has set its sights on Clippers vs. Suns and just laid out its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can now go to SportsLine to see the model selection. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Clippers vs. Suns:
- Scatter Suns vs. Clippers: Suns -7.5
- Suns vs. Clippers Over/Under: 225.5 points
- Suns vs. Clippers money line: Suns -345, Clippers +270
- LAC: The Clippers are 22-20 against the spread in street games
- PHX: The Suns are 22-19-1 against the spread in home games
- Suns vs. Clippers tips: See tips at SportsLine
Featured Game | Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Why the Clippers can cover
The Clippers played very well on defense in Game 1, holding the Suns to less than 1.07 points per possession. LA finished the regular season in the top 8 in the NBA for free throw prevention (22.3 allowable attempts per game) and defensive rebound rate (73.1%), and opponents averaged just 25 assists per game against the Clippers . Phoenix was a team in the bottom five in free-throw creation (21.7 attempts per game), and no team had fewer fastbreak points (10.5 per game) than the Suns.
At the other end, Kawhi Leonard anchors a strong attack, and Leonard scored 38 points on 13-24 shooting in the opener of the series. The Clippers outperformed their opponents during the regular season at 6.1 points per 100 possessions with Leonard on the ground, and LA is also strong beyond the 3-point arc, making more than 38% of attempts in the regular season. The Clippers made extra possessions in Game 1 with an offensive rebound rate of 32.1%, and Phoenix struggles to prevent free throw attempts and ranks in the NBA’s bottom five in attempts allowed in 2022-23 (Jan .6 per game). See which page is behind at SportsLine.
Why the suns can cover
Phoenix has two-sided strengths to lean on in this matchup. The Suns finished in the top eight in the NBA in defensive scoring this season (112.3), and Phoenix has top-six marks in shooting opponents, two-point shooting allowed, and assists allowed. The Clippers shot just 53.9% from inside the arc this season and averaged just 23.9 assists per game on offense. Phoenix also protects the color well, averaging just 48.6 points in the color per game, and the Suns have plenty of offensive firepower.
The Suns are led by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, both of whom averaged 26 points or more per game for elite shooting efficiency during the regular season. Durant also had 27 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in Game 1, and the Suns have an excellent offensive profile. This includes top 8 marks in offensive rebound rate, second chance points, 3-point accuracy, and assists per game. See which page is behind at SportsLine.
How to make Clippers vs. Suns picks
SportsLine’s model takes total points and projects teams to 224 points. The model also says that one side of the variance applies in over 50% of the simulations. You can see the model selection at SportsLine.
So who wins Suns vs. Clippers? And which side of the spread applies in over 50% of the simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump to, all from the model that’s 71-37 on top-tier NBA picks, and find out.
