The Phoenix Suns enter the 2023 NBA playoffs as the betting favorite to reach the NBA Finals from the Western Conference. Kevin Durant and the Suns begin that quest on Sunday with a home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns and Clippers face off in Game 1 at Footprint Center, and Phoenix is the No. 4 seed with a 45-37 record. L.A. enters as the No. 5 seed at 44-38, with both teams building around top-flight forwards in Durant and Kawhi Leonard.
Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET in Phoenix. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Suns as 7.5-point favorites, while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 225 in the latest Clippers vs. Suns odds. Before you make any Suns vs. Clippers picks, you need to see the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the 2023 NBA Play-in Tournament a stunning 71-36 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Clippers vs. Suns and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Clippers vs. Suns:
- Clippers vs. Suns spread: Suns -7.5
- Clippers vs. Suns over/under: 225 points
- Clippers vs. Suns money line: Suns -320, Clippers +250
- LAC: The Clippers are 21-20 against the spread in road games
- PHX: The Suns are 22-18-1 against the spread in home games
- Clippers vs. Suns picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Clippers can cover
Los Angeles is led by Leonard, who is an X-factor in any matchup. Leonard is a two-time NBA Finals MVP and, while he was limited on back-to-back sets during the regular season, those evaporate in the postseason. The Clippers are 33-19 with Leonard in the lineup this season, and that includes a 10-4 mark in his last 14 games on the floor. L.A. boasts a +6.1 net rating with Leonard on the floor, and he averaged 23.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game on 62.3% true shooting in 2022-23. Leonard is also peaking at the right time, averaging 27.1 points per game after the All-Star break and more than 29 points per game in his final four outings of the regular season.
The Clippers also take full advantage of the 3-point line, making more than 38% of attempts, and L.A. is averaging more than 24 free throw attempts. Even with George sidelined, the Clippers have enough offensive firepower. Plus, L.A. is strong on defense, including above-average metrics in defensive rebounding and free throw prevention.
Why the Suns can cover
Phoenix has the benefit of a friendly environment for Game 1. The Suns have a +5.1 net rating at Footprint Center this season, while the Clippers have been out-scored in games away from Los Angeles. Phoenix also has superior overall metrics, including an underrated defensive baseline. The Suns allowed only 1.12 points per possession this season, a top-eight mark in the NBA, and Phoenix creates a turnover on 14.5% of defensive possessions.
Opponents make only 46.6% of field goal attempts and 53.0% of 2-point attempts against the Suns, and Phoenix's offense is a potential gauntlet for the opposition. The Suns are 8-0 with Durant in the lineup since the blockbuster mid-season trade, and Phoenix has a +10.7 net rating with Durant on the floor. Phoenix also surrounds Durant with myriad top-tier options, including Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, and the Suns finished in the top 10 of the NBA in turnover avoidance and offensive rebound rate during the regular season.
How to make Clippers vs. Suns picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, with seven players projected to score more than 13 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Clippers vs. Suns? And which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Clippers vs. Suns spread you need to jump on Sunday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
