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Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Clippers passes the ball past Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns during a playoff matchup at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images via AFP.
Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Clippers passes the ball past Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns during a playoff matchup at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images via AFP.

The Los Angeles Clippers came through with an upset victory in Game 1, but will the Phoenix Suns respond in Tuesday’s Game 2? Read on for our Clippers vs. Suns postseason prediction based on the best NBA odds.

In what was arguably the best game of the opening weekend, the Los Angeles Clippers came through with a 115-110 road win over the Phoenix Suns. Sunday’s Game 1 had it all, including Russell Westbrook making game-winning plays on a night when he shot 3-for-19 from the floor.

The Suns, who remain the betting favorites to win the Western Conference, must respond by evening the opening-round series before heading to Los Angeles. Oddsmakers are counting on it, projecting Phoenix as a three-possession favorite over Los Angeles.

Here is our best Clippers vs. Suns prediction (odds via Caesars Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

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Clippers vs. Suns prediction

Deandre Ayton Under 28.5 points + rebounds + assists (-117 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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The best part about the NBA Playoffs is watching the chess match between teams throughout a series. One team might try something that ultimately works, and then it is up to the opposition to figure out a counter.

In Game 1, the Clippers surprised many by having Kawhi Leonard guard Suns big man Deandre Ayton early on. Leonard eventually defended Kevin Durant when things mattered most, but it will be interesting to see how often Los Angeles goes back to that original matchup.

Ayton finished with 18 points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes of action on Saturday. Zach Lowe described it as a “quiet 18 and eight” on the latest edition of the Lowe Post, and it is hard to disagree. Ayton finished 8-for-16 from the floor, which somehow ended up being more shot attempts than Durant’s 7-of-15 effort.

In a crucial Game 2, we expect Durant to be more aggressive and Ayton to be less involved. If Leonard defends Ayton for any length of time, that’s even more reason to like the Under on this combo prop of points, rebounds, and assists.

Props.cash actually has a projection of 24.74 PRA for Ayton in this game, which should give us plenty of wiggle room on the Under here. According to Statmuse, Ayton averaged 13 points, 9.4 rebounds, and one assist in eight regular-season games when he and Durant both played.

Based on projections and that track record, this is a four-star pick in a game when it can be tough to find value on the side or total. We would play this down to 27.5 PRA before looking elsewhere in the prop market.

Clippers vs. Suns best odds

Caesars (-117)

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsPointsBet
Under 28.5Under 28.5Under 28.5Under 28.5Under 28.5
-120N/A-120-117N/A

Only three of our best NBA betting sites have a PRA combo line for Ayton, though they all agree that it should be set at 28.5. PointsBet does have a points and rebounds combo line of 27.5, with the Under juiced to -120.

In this case, we can save a few cents by placing this bet at Caesars, which has -117 vig on both the Over and Under. Because projections have this line below 25, we’d be comfortable playing this down to 27.5.

Clippers vs. Suns odds

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Clippers vs. Suns odds analysis

The Suns started as 7-point favorites but are now laying 8 at most sports betting sites as of this writing. BetMGM is the lone shop offering the Clippers as 8.5-point underdogs, if you believe this will be a competitive contest.

The total has climbed up to 227 after opening at 225 when betting lines were first released for this matchup. DraftKings Sportsbook has the lowest total at the moment, hanging a line of 226.5.

Clippers vs. Suns game info

  • Date: Tuesday, April 18, 10 p.m. ET
  • TV: TNT
  • Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

Clippers-Suns pick made 04/18/2023 at 2:45 p.m. ET.

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