The Los Angeles Clippers are on the deepest postseason run in franchise history, and will look to even their first-ever Western Conference finals series with the Phoenix Suns at two games each on Saturday. The Clippers head into Game 4 coming off another crucial 2021 NBA Playoffs victory on Thursday, when they responded in a must-win situation with a 106-92 victory. Los Angeles has managed to stay in the NBA finals hunt despite being without Kawhi Leonard (knee), who has been ruled out for Saturday. Marcus Morris (knee) is questionable for Los Angeles, while Cameron Payne (ankle) has been cleared to play for Phoenix after leaving Game 3 early.
Tip-off from Los Angeles is set for 9 p.m. ET at Staples Center. William Hill Sportsbook lists Los Angeles as a one-point favorite in the Clippers vs. Suns odds. That line has moved two points after the Sun opened at -1. The over-under for total points is down to 217.5 after opening at 220. Before finalizing any Suns vs. Clippers picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned almost $9,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. The model is up almost $700 on its top-rated picks this season and entered the conference finals of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on a stunning 100-66 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread dating back to last season. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has locked in its Clippers vs. Suns picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Suns vs. Clippers:
- Clippers vs. Suns spread: Clippers -1
- Clippers vs. Suns over-under: 217.5 points
- Clippers vs. Suns money line: Clippers -115, Suns -105
- LAC: The Suns are 24-18 against the spread on the road
- LAC: The Clippers are 26-18 against the spread at home
Why the Suns can cover
Chris Paul made his series debut in Game 3, and he did look somewhat rusty as he missed 14 of 19 shots from the field. But he still managed to finish with a double-double on 15 points and 12 assists, and now has a game under his belt in the series and Payne possibly returning to bolster the Phoenix backcourt. Paul averaged 18.7 points per game on 52.6 percent shooting from the field against the Clippers during the regular season.
Deandre Ayton had 18 points and nine rebounds on Thursday, shooting 9 of 13 from the field. He has shot 72.3 percent from the field during that span, the best field-goal percentage in a 13-game NBA playoff run since 1983. Devin Booker scored just 15 points on 5 for 21 shooting from the field in Game 3 as he played through a nasal fracture. But he has averaged 27.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, becoming only the second player in league history to average at least 25/5/5 in 13 games in a single postseason.
Why the Clippers can cover
For the third time this postseason, the Clippers erased an 0-2 series deficit with Thursday's win. They are the only team in NBA history to have won more than one playoff series in the same postseason after losing the first two games. Los Angeles has won every Game 4 matchup so far in the NBA Playoffs 2021. The Clippers have won five consecutive home playoff games this postseason. They are 3-2 in the five games Leonard has missed.
Paul George and the Clippers bounced back from an agonizing one-point Game 2 loss in which George missed a pair of late crucial free throws. He spearheaded the Game 3 win that put Los Angeles back into the series with 27 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. George is averaging 26.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Reggie Jackson scored 23 points and has averaged 23 points per game in the five games Leonard has missed. Ivica Zubac has grabbed 27 rebounds as he has started the past two games.
How to make Suns vs. Clippers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting 219 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50 percent of the time. You can only get this pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Clippers vs. Suns? And which side of the spread hits well over 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks.
