Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction: In-rhythm Suns takes on inconsistent Clippers

The NBA Trade deadline brought us some amazing changes and has spiced up the Western Conference. While Kyrie’s transfer to the Mavs has brought huge ripples, things are still not in place as he adjusts alongside Luka Doncic. Another big change was Kevin Durant moving to the Phoenix Suns. He won’t be here but his Phoenix Suns are going to take on the Los Angeles Clippers. This will be the last game before the week-long All-Star break.

The Suns enter this game after defeating the Kings 120:109 as Devin Booker inserted 32 points. This was their second straight win and they have now won 11 of their last 14 games. This current winning window has helped them overcome a period where the team lost a bunch of games in absence of Booker. The combination of these windows still leave them in tough territory with 32 wins and 27 losses.

Wonderful Kevin Durant will join after All-Star Break and he is someone who adjusts brilliantly alongside star players of Booker’s caliber. Therefore, the Suns’ chances of finishing in top six and even making a title run are alive. However, the West is loaded and it isn’t easy to look past both the Nuggets and the Grizzlies, especially the Nugges. Can the trio pf Paul Booker, and KD get it done?

The Clippers come into the fray after beating the Warriors 134:124 as Kawhi Leonard bagged 33 points. This victory broke a two-game losing streak. They have four losses and four wins in the last eight games, which is a replica of most of their windows their season. The team hasn’t seen the duo of Leonard and George together much which has affected the team balance. It will be interesting to see how many games these two play together from here on.

The murmurs about Russell Westbrook joining the team have accelerated now and Paul George has openly recruited the All-Around NBA Legend. It will be interesting to see how this Westbrook situation develops if Utah and Russell reach a buyout. At this point, it is difficult to judge how teams are going to shape up with Russell in the mix. It has failed with the Wizards and Lakers, but who knows if this is the fit Westbrook needs.

• Suns: OUT: Kevin Durant, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet;
• Clippers: OUT: Norman Powell.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Devin Booker(31+ Points), Kawhi Leonard(26-33 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Deandre Ayton(11-13 Rebounds), Ivica Zubac(9-11 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Chris Paul(12+ Assists), Paul George(5+ Assists).

With Booker returning and Paul finding his touch, the Suns have once again become the force they have been during the previous two seasons and the early parts of the season. George and Leonard are a tough duo to deal with but the rotations for the Clippers are still not set and they are playing without a specialist Point Guard thus far, which gives further weightage to the talks with Westbrook. Anyway, I expect the Suns to come on top here and predict a scoreline of 123:116 in their favor.