The Los Angeles Clippers travel to the Mortgage Matchup Center to battle the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. Here’s a Suns vs Clippers Prediction. This article will include a Suns vs Clippers Pick.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Clippers have been on fire as they’ve won 16 of their last 20 games overall. They will be eager to bounce back in this one after having their three-game win streak halted by the Nuggets in a 122-109 road defeat on Friday. James Harden led the team with 25 points and nine assists on eight of 17 shooting, Kawhi Leonard added 21 points with six assists while John Collins chipped in with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Clippers shot 47 percent from the field and 14 of 40 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic from the tipoff and leaked 35 points in the first quarter to fall behind from the start. The Clippers fought back to take the lead in the third quarter, before the Nuggets closed the third quarter on a 24-11 run to snatch the game away.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been in fine form as they’ve won six of their last eight games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight victory after routing the Cavaliers in a 126-113 home win on Friday. Dillon Brooks led the team with 27 points on nine of 14 shooting, Jordan Goodwin added 17 points off the bench while Collin Gillespie chipped in with 16 points and five assists. As a team, the Suns shot 53 percent from the field and 23 of 48 from the 3-point line as they played great defense at the start of the game to restrict the Cavaliers to just 47 points in the first half. Before the Suns poured in 45 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as 33 points at one stage.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Suns have won each of their last 11 home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Clippers have lost each of their last eight road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Suns have covered the spread in each of their last 12 games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as road favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won eight of their last nine games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Suns.
- The Suns have lost each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Suns’ last four games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of the Clippers’ last six games as road favorites against the Suns have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Suns have suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q3 this season – led by 18 points vs Hawks on November 16.
- The Suns rank 2nd in the league for steals per game this season (10.3).
- The Clippers rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (23.6).
- The Clippers rank 1st in the league for free throw percentage this season (84.4%).
Suns vs Clippers Prediction
The Clippers are still missing Bradley Beal, but they could have Derrick Jones Jr. back, while the Suns have ruled out Devin Booker, with Jalen Green listed as questionable. The Clippers are only slight favorites on the road, which is justified given their recent form, but the Suns have been on a nice run themselves. They will be full of confidence after making light work of the in-form Cavaliers on Friday. You can make an argument for either side here, but the Suns have won the last two meetings to lead the season series by 2-1. I think they take the series with a narrow win at home, where they are 17-6 on the season.