Suns Big Favorites At Home Over Struggling Clippers

The Phoenix Suns (29-8 SU, 20-17 ATS) host the Los Angeles Clippers (19-19, 17-21) at Footprint Center on Thursday in their second meeting of the season. The Suns are 3-1 in their last four games while the Clippers are 2-4 in their last six contests.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Suns opened as 10-point favorites over the Clips with the total set at 216.5 points. The OVER is 8-3 in Phoenix’s last 11 games and 4-1 in Los Angeles’ last five outings. The Clippers are 4-2 ATS in the last six meetings between the two teams.

Los Angeles News & Notes

The Clippers lost 122-104 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last outing on Monday. Anthony Edwards scored 28 points for the Timberwolves to lead all scorers while Serge Ibaka topped the Clippers with 17 points.

Los Angeles has been without leading scorer Paul George since December 26 and an already disappointing season has gotten even worse. The Clips are 2-4 in the six games without George and they’ll be without their star guard for another two to three weeks as he recovers from a torn ligament in his right elbow.

Nicolas Batum (ankle), Luke Kennard (health and safety protocols), Ivica Zubac (health and safety protocols), Brandon Boston Jr. (conditioning) and James Preston (foot) are questionable for Thursday.

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Phoenix News & Notes

The Suns won their second straight game on Tuesday, downing the New Orleans Pelicans 123-110. Devin Booker had a strong showing with 33 points, Mikal Bridges scored 23 and Chris Paul had a double-double with 11 points and 15 assists.

Despite being down two starters, the Suns have continued to roll, winning seven of their last 10 games and sitting tied atop the NBA standings with the Golden State Warriors at 29-8. Booker has been sensational as always, scoring 29.4 points per game over his last five contests, but he’s also had some help from unlikely sources. Bismack Biyombo signed a 10-day contract with the team and has averaged 13.5 points and six rebounds in two games with the Suns, making a case for a permanent roster spot.

JaVale McGee (conditioning), Jae Crowder (conditioning), Deandre Ayton (conditioning), Landry Shamet (health and safety protocols) and Abdel Nader (health and safety protocols) are out while Jalen Smith (head) is probable.

How Los Angeles Will Cover

The Clippers are without some key offensive pieces but they still boast a stingy defense, ranking seventh in the NBA by allowing just 105.7 points per game. We know the Clips aren’t an offensive powerhouse so if they’re going to keep this game close, they’ll have to try to force a tight, low-scoring affair.

How Phoenix Will Cover

The Suns have a habit of winning big, posting a margin of victory of 13-plus points in each of their last seven wins. With a red-hot star scorer in Booker and a strong supporting cast in Bridges and Paul, Phoenix is nearly impossible to stop. Although the Clippers are strong defensively, they likely don’t have enough offensive firepower to keep up with the Suns.

Computer Pick: Suns -11.5

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