The 1st-round series of the Western Conference Playoffs between the No. 4-seed Phoenix Suns (45-37) and the No. 5-seed Los Angeles Clippers (44-38) begins Sunday. Game 1 tips off Sunday evening at 8 p.m. ET at Footprint Center (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Clippers vs. Suns odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Clippers ended the regular season winning 3 straight games to lock in the 5th seed. They played their final 9 games without F Paul George.
The Suns lost their final 2 games of the regular season resting their starters but had a 7-game winning streak before that to secure home-court advantage in the 1st round.
The season series was split 2-2 in the regular season.
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Clippers at Suns odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Clippers +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Suns -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clippers +7.5 (-110) | Suns -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Clippers at Suns key injuries
Clippers
- F Paul George (knee) out
Suns
- G Cameron Payne (back) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Clippers at Suns picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 114, Clippers 105
Moneyline
The Suns were 8-0 with F Kevin Durant in the lineup. The Suns have all their key players healthy with Payne questionable.
While the road team won all 4 meetings between the 2 teams this season, with George out and Durant playing, the Suns should be able to take control of the series with a Game 1 win.
That said, -300 odds are not worth a wager.
PASS.
Against the spread
The Suns were 3-1 ATS vs. the Clippers in the regular season. They were 43-38-1 ATS overall, while the Clippers were 40-42 ATS overall.
In 3 of the 4 meetings, the favored team won and covered the spread.
The Suns are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games playing on at least 3 days rest.
BET SUNS -7.5 (-110).
Over/Under
Only 1 of the last 8 meetings have had more than 225 total points.
In their playoff series against each other 2 years ago, 4 of the 6 games had fewer than 225 points.
BET UNDER 225.5 (-110).
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