The Phoenix Suns (18-41), who are currently on a seven-game losing streak, will try to get back in the win column when they welcome the Los Angeles Clippers (30-27) to Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 224.5 points with Los Angeles opening as a 4.5-point favorite. Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, February 23, 2018, and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Arizona.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns ATS Preview
The Clippers were beaten by the Golden State Warriors in their last outing, 134-127. Los Angeles’ DeAndre Jordan finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds in the contest. Golden State was lights out from beyond the arc (14-25; 56.0 percent). Los Angeles, meanwhile, held the Warriors to an offensive rebounding percentage of 9.7 (below their season average of 21.8).
The last time the Suns played, they were defeated by the Utah Jazz, 107-97. With 13 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, Elfrid Payton led the way for Phoenix with his zeroth triple-double this year. Utah had an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.0 (above their season average of 20.5). Phoenix, on the other hand, was lights out from beyond the arc (12-29; 41.4 percent).
The offensive glass should be a huge edge for Phoenix in this battle. The Suns rank eighth in offensive rebounding percentage (23.4 percent), while Los Angeles ranks 26th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.2 percent). Additionally, the Clippers, who rank fourth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.225), could get to the line a ton against the Suns, who rank 27th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.217).
Of Los Angeles’ 56 games that accepted bets, 28 have finished over the projected point total, while 30 of Phoenix’s 59 games have finished under the projected point total. The Clippers come into this game with a clear advantage in both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 30-27 SU and 31-24-1 ATS, while the Suns are 18-41 SU and 27-30-2 ATS.
Jordan has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Los Angeles, averaging 16.2 rebounds and 13.2 points per game.
These two teams have already met twice this season, with the Clippers winning both. T.J. Warren led both teams with 22 points in the most recent matchup, in which the Suns lost 108-95, unable to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. The two teams combined to score 203 points, which was 12 points below the projected point total of 215 points. The Clippers played a nearly flawless game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.529 and a free throw rate of 0.184. The Suns were 0.402 and 0.175, respectively, for those same stats.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Prediction
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Clippers rank 14th in steals per game (7.8) while the Suns rank 28th in steals allowed per game (8.7).
- Los Angeles averages 16.3 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 16th in the NBA. Phoenix ranks 27th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.8).
- Los Angeles averages 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 15th in the league. Phoenix ranks 27th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
- Los Angeles is 17-10-1 ATS on the road with 15 unders and 13 overs.
- At home, Phoenix is 11-18-1 ATS with 15 unders, 14 overs and 1 push.
- Phoenix is 6-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Los Angeles is 11-2.
- The Clippers are 28-18 when they score over 100 points, while the Suns are 14-23.
- The Clippers rank 14th in rebounds per game (43.6) while the Suns rank 26th in rebounds allowed per game (45.4).
- Los Angeles averages 49.7 points in the paint per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Phoenix ranks 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.5).
- The Suns average 13.9 fast break points per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Clippers rank 29th in fast break points allowed per game (14.7).
- The Clippers rank 20th in assists per game (22.2) while the Suns rank 29th (20.9).
- Los Angeles averages 13.2 second chance points per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. Phoenix ranks 24th in second chance points allowed per game (13.2).
Bettings Trends:
- Phoenix is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 26.6, up from 8.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 115.2 points per game (6.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.2 points per game (4.7 above their season average).