Suns Favored In First Meeting With Clippers

The NBA-leading Phoenix Suns (21-4 SU, 13-12 ATS) head to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Clippers (15-12, 12-15) on Monday in their first meeting of the season. The Suns will look to win their third straight game while the Clippers try to extend their win streak to four.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Suns opened as 2-point favorites over the Clippers. The total was set at 213 points with the UNDER going 5-1 in Phoenix’s last six outings. The Clippers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games while the Suns are 6-5 ATS on the road this season.

Phoenix News & Notes

The Suns had their franchise-record 18-game win streak snapped by the Golden State Warriors on December 3, but they have gotten right back to business with two straight wins. Their most recent victory was a 111-90 thrashing of the Boston Celtics on Friday. JaVale McGee led the team with 21 points and 15 rebounds for a double-double while six other players scored 10 or more points.

Phoenix has been scoring by committee this season, boasting the fifth-best offense (111.4 points per game) as well as the fifth-best defense (104.4 points against per game) in the NBA.

Leading scorer Devin Booker (hamstring) hasn’t played since November 30 and remains out indefinitely while Frank Kaminsky (knee) will also miss Monday’s matchup. Deandre Ayton (illness) did not practice Saturday and is questionable for Monday.

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Los Angeles News & Notes

The Clippers won their third straight game on Saturday, edging the Orlando Magic 106-104. Reggie Jackson scored 25 points to lead the team, including the game-winning shot with just over two seconds on the clock. Luke Kennard was also instrumental in the win, dropping 23 points of his own.

It was the Clippers’ second straight win without leading scorer Paul George, who has been sidelined with an elbow injury. The shooting guard is listed as day to day and is considered questionable for Monday, as is Nicolas Batum (ankle).

How Phoenix Will Cover

The Suns have lost one game since October 30 and just steamrolled the Celtics without their top scorer. Phoenix boasts arguably the best offensive depth in the NBA and, even without Booker, should be able to beat Los Angeles comfortably, especially if George isn’t ready to go for the Clippers.

How Los Angeles Will Cover

The Clippers have been heating up with four wins in their last five games and they’ve been pretty good at home this season with a record of 11-7 at Staples Center. If George returns to the lineup and the Suns are missing their top two scorers in Booker and Ayton, the Clippers could just pull off the upset.

Computer Pick: Clippers +3.5

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