-- Once again, a clutch 3-pointer by Phoenix earned another big victory for the club this postseason. On Tuesday, the Suns trailed the Clippers 111-108 with three seconds left on the clock in the first overtime before Raja Bell drilled a corner trey, sending the game into another extra session.
-- Then, the Suns followed the first five bonus minutes by doubling-up the Clips in the second overtime by a score of 14-7. Phoenix not only took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, but actually managed to cover as a five-point home favorite. The combined 243 points was fortunate to go ‘over’ the closing total of 217 due to the extra 10 minutes of double-overtime.
-- Bell has played brilliantly in this series, averaging 22.2 points per game, including 55 points in the past two contests. Also stepping up in class is forward Shawn Marion. The former UNLV standout dropped in 36 points and 20 rebounds. Marion has been the X-factor in this series, posting 29 PPG in the three victories against the Clips and only 13.5 PPG in the two losses.
-- Los Angeles struggled from the floor, shooting just 41 percent. The team made up for it by hitting 25-of-32 shots from the charity stripe. Elton Brand finished with 33 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a losing effort, while Sam Cassell added 32 points and five assists.
-- Usually the better shooting team prevails on any given day, but that’s not the case in this series. L.A. has posted a better shooting percentage in four of the five games and still faces a 3-2 deficit.
-- Four of the five games have gone ‘over’ the total in this series, with the lone ‘under’ cashing in Game 3 (94-91) from Staples Center.
-- L.A. owns a respectable 31-15 SU and 23-23 ATS mark at home, including 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS. The ‘under’ has prevailed to a 30-16 record, with an eye opening 4-1 stance in the postseason.
-- The Clippers were listed as 3 ½-point and 4 ½-point favorites in Game 3 and 4 from Staples Center, going 1-1 both SU and ATS. Oddsmakers have tabbed Los Angeles as a five-point favorite for Game 5. The total is currently sitting at 215.
-- If you follow the zig-zag (Win, Loss, Win, Loss) theory and expect the trend to continue like it has in this series, then the Clippers should win Thursday and force a Game 7.
-- Also, Los Angeles hasn’t dropped back-to-back games during the first two rounds. The team is 3-0 both SU and ATS off a loss, winning by an average of 15 PPG.
-- Keep in mind that the point-spread hasn’t played a factor at all in this series. If you played the favorite, then you covered. Conversely, if you fancy the ‘dog, then grab the money-line. The Clippers are minus-240 (Bet $240 to win $100) for Game 6, while the Suns can close the series at a price of plus-200 (Bet $100 to win $200).
-- For those of you who like extra action, make a note that the first quarter has seen the ‘over’ cash in all five games. Also, the ‘over’ is 4-1 in the first half through the series.
-- Tip off for Thursday’s contest is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EST, with TNT providing national coverage.
-- If necessary, Game 7 is expected to be played on Monday from US Airways Center.
-- Then, the Suns followed the first five bonus minutes by doubling-up the Clips in the second overtime by a score of 14-7. Phoenix not only took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, but actually managed to cover as a five-point home favorite. The combined 243 points was fortunate to go ‘over’ the closing total of 217 due to the extra 10 minutes of double-overtime.
-- Bell has played brilliantly in this series, averaging 22.2 points per game, including 55 points in the past two contests. Also stepping up in class is forward Shawn Marion. The former UNLV standout dropped in 36 points and 20 rebounds. Marion has been the X-factor in this series, posting 29 PPG in the three victories against the Clips and only 13.5 PPG in the two losses.
-- Los Angeles struggled from the floor, shooting just 41 percent. The team made up for it by hitting 25-of-32 shots from the charity stripe. Elton Brand finished with 33 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a losing effort, while Sam Cassell added 32 points and five assists.
-- Usually the better shooting team prevails on any given day, but that’s not the case in this series. L.A. has posted a better shooting percentage in four of the five games and still faces a 3-2 deficit.
-- Four of the five games have gone ‘over’ the total in this series, with the lone ‘under’ cashing in Game 3 (94-91) from Staples Center.
-- L.A. owns a respectable 31-15 SU and 23-23 ATS mark at home, including 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS. The ‘under’ has prevailed to a 30-16 record, with an eye opening 4-1 stance in the postseason.
-- The Clippers were listed as 3 ½-point and 4 ½-point favorites in Game 3 and 4 from Staples Center, going 1-1 both SU and ATS. Oddsmakers have tabbed Los Angeles as a five-point favorite for Game 5. The total is currently sitting at 215.
-- If you follow the zig-zag (Win, Loss, Win, Loss) theory and expect the trend to continue like it has in this series, then the Clippers should win Thursday and force a Game 7.
-- Also, Los Angeles hasn’t dropped back-to-back games during the first two rounds. The team is 3-0 both SU and ATS off a loss, winning by an average of 15 PPG.
-- Keep in mind that the point-spread hasn’t played a factor at all in this series. If you played the favorite, then you covered. Conversely, if you fancy the ‘dog, then grab the money-line. The Clippers are minus-240 (Bet $240 to win $100) for Game 6, while the Suns can close the series at a price of plus-200 (Bet $100 to win $200).
-- For those of you who like extra action, make a note that the first quarter has seen the ‘over’ cash in all five games. Also, the ‘over’ is 4-1 in the first half through the series.
-- Tip off for Thursday’s contest is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EST, with TNT providing national coverage.
-- If necessary, Game 7 is expected to be played on Monday from US Airways Center.