Beleaguered Western Conference rivals look to build momentum as the Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Clippers at Mortgage Matchup Center on Thursday night’s lone NBA matchup.
The Suns (3-5, 10th West) aim to bounce back from a double-digit loss to the Golden State Warriors, while the Clippers (3-4, 9th West) look to snap a two-game skid — punctuated by a 19-point drubbing from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Injuries have already piled up for both squads: Dillon Brooks (groin) and Jalen Green (hamstring) are out for Phoenix, while Kobe Sanders (knee), Jordan Miller (hamstring), James Harden (personal), and Kawhi Leonard (ankle) remain sidelined for L.A.
Tipoff is set for 9:00 p.m. ET. The Suns enter as 3.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the Clippers listed as +124 underdogs. The total is set at 223.5 points.
Clippers vs. Suns Preview
In many ways, the Clippers and Suns pose an evenly balanced matchup of mid. Both L.A. and Phoenix feature middling offenses and poor defenses, sporting nearly identical net ratings — 22nd and 23rd in the league, respectively.
Each team ranks among the NBA’s top five in steals, but neither team really capitalizes on those takeaways. Instead, both are sloppy with the ball themselves, coughing it up at similar rates while allowing the first and second-most points off turnovers in the league.
Clippers vs. Suns Pick, Best Bet
Still, the Suns hold a clear edge over the Clippers in the three-point department. Phoenix has stationed the bulk of its offensive attack around the perimeter, and the tactic has paid off — ranking fourth in threes per game (15.9) while connecting at a solid 37.4% clip.
The Clippers, meanwhile, have struggled to defend the arc, allowing the sixth-most three-point attempts and the third-most makes per game (15.6).
Against the Clippers, Suns guard Devin Booker could be poised for an offensive explosion. He’s averaging 31 points and seven assists per game while shooting an efficient 51.6% from the field and 43.1% from long range. With the Los Angeles stars on the sidelines, count on Booker to set the tone for Phoenix and leave the Clippers in the dust.
