2023 NBA Playoffs: Suns vs. Clippers Series Odds, Picks & Predictions
The NBA Playoffs are here! No more resting players or limiting their minutes during games. Teams are all in and will make players available to play all out. That makes this series one of the playoff series that I am looking forward to watching the most.
The Suns and Clippers split games (2-2) during the regular season, and they both have talented players who can provide elite offense and defense. Each team has a legitimate chance to make a deep run in the playoffs. They could even win the championship. This series is one that you will not want to miss.
2023 NBA Playoffs: Suns vs. Clippers Series Odds, Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Phoenix Suns Overview/Playoff Outlook
The Phoenix Suns (45-37) have one of the most exciting lineups in the playoffs. They have star players like Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton, Chris Paul and Kevin Durant. Durant was part of the blockbuster trade that Phoenix made this season. The Suns are 8-0 when Kevin Durant starts. The bad thing is that he has yet to play a game against the Clippers while on the Suns. The Suns rank ninth overall defensively and 17th offensively during the regular season. That means Booker and Durant being healthy will provide a much-needed boost on offense.
Los Angeles Clippers Overview/Playoff Outlook
The Los Angeles Clippers (44-38) have struggled to stay healthy this season. When the Clippers are healthy, they are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Even with all the injuries this season, they rank 12th in defense. Offensively, they have struggled to be consistent throughout the season. During this series, they will be without one of their key players on offense and defense, Paul George. The good news for the Clippers is that they beat the Suns (119-114) in the last game of the regular season without George. That means Los Angeles can win.
Season Series
These teams played well during the regular season series. They split the series, with the Suns winning the first two games and the Clippers winning the last two. As noted, one of these games was the very last game of the season when the Clippers earned the five seed. The Suns did outscore the Clippers overall during the regular season. They averaged 111 points per game compared to the Clipper’s 106. The difference in this series is that Durant could be back. That will mean the Clippers have to shut down another scorer. With George sitting out, that additional scorer could cause defensive problems for the Clippers.
Series Prediction
The Phoenix Suns have the advantage in this series. The Clippers have not faced Durant while he has been with the Suns. The Suns are 8-0 with Durant, but he has sat out a few games with injuries. Since Durant sat out, the Clippers will not know how to handle him defensively when he plays. The Suns have too many scoring options for the Clippers to defend. Durant, Booker and Ayton can all score consistently and in multiple ways. Playing against that many players who can score without George will cause issues for the Clippers. George is one of their better players on both offense and defense. Without him, Los Angeles will struggle to score.
The Phoenix Suns have the best chance to win this series. That is due to Durant. Durant averages 26 points per game and has proven he can score points alongside Booker and Ayton. Having three scorers will make the Clippers choose which players to defend. That means Durant will have higher-quality shots during this series. Durant will play more minutes because these are playoff games. That combination of more minutes and better quality shots gives Durant betting value in scoring the most points in this series.
Best Bets
- Phoenix Suns Wins Series (-500)
- Series Exact Games: 5 Games (+220)
- Series Leader Total Points Kevin Durant (+175)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts