Phoenix Closes Tough Back-to-Back in LA

Less than 24 hours after taking down the league-leading Jazz, Phoenix (37-14 SU, 34-17 ATS) faces another tall task against the Clippers (34-18, 30-22). Both teams are playing some of their best ball of the year, with the Suns riding a seven-game winning streak and LA on an 8-2 SU and ATS surge in its last 10.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The 5-point Sportsbook spread represents Phoenix’s largest as an underdog since facing the Clippers in the Orlando bubble last summer. LA was a 3.5-point favorite when it beat the Suns 112-107 on January 3 in Phoenix.

Phoenix News & Notes

The Suns are arguably coming off their biggest victory in a decade, extending their winning streak to seven games with a 117-113 overtime triumph over the first-place Jazz last night in Phoenix.

Devin Booker led the way with 35 points, Chris Paul added 29 points and nine assists, and Deandre Ayton collected 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns, who held Utah to 11-for-44 from behind the three-point line.

But while the Suns are an impressive 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games on zero rest, the win over Utah could exact an emotional and physical toll. “We treated this game like a playoff game,” Ayton, who played 41 minutes, told the Arizona Republic following the contest. Booker (44), Paul (43), Jae Crowder (37) and Cam Johnson (36) also put in heavy minutes against the Jazz.

Los Angeles News & Notes

Patrick Beverley’s value to the Clippers was apparent on both ends of the floor Tuesday as Los Angeles rolled to a 133-116 win over the Trail Blazers, improving to 8-2 SU and ATS in its last 10 games.

Playing his first game after missing a dozen contests with a sore right knee, Beverley had eight points, four rebounds and three assists in 20 minutes of action. Just as importantly, he helped the Clippers defense harass Damian Lillard into a 2-for-14 night from the field.

Tuesday’s victory marked the first time all season that Los Angeles has been able to start the same lineup that it utilized last year. Paul George, who has been hobbled recently by a sore foot, looked pretty healthy with 24 first-half points and 36 on the evening, while Kawhi Leonard added 29 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Reggie Jackson supplied 23 of 44 points from the Clippers’ reserves.

DeMarcus Cousins also made an impact in his Clippers debut, scoring seven points and pulling down four rebounds in eight minutes of action. LA signed Cousins to a 10-day contract earlier this week to give the Clippers some depth at center until Serge Ibaka can return from a lingering back issue.

Betting Pick: Clippers -5

Phoenix has risen to the challenge all season, but this quick turnaround following a huge overtime win looks like too much to overcome.