Venue: Footprint Center
Home: Phoenix Suns
Away: Los Angeles Clippers
17.04.2023, @ 03:00 AM (+03:00 UTC)
The NBA Playoffs are on and we have seen some expected results thus far but the stakes are only going to multiply as we head deeper toward the title. This First Round is on and we see a lot of high-low seed battles which may be lop-sided. Then there are middle seeds from third to sixth that usually feature the close ones. In this mid-seed battle, Phoenix Suns are going to take on the Los Angeles Clippers.
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The Suns enter the season after winning 45 and losing 37 games but that paints a misleading picture of what the team has become. The team acquired Kevin Durant during the midseason and when he featured in the lineup, the team had eight wins and zero losses. The duo of Durant and Devin Booker feature one of the most versatile scoring duos as both are superstar-level ball handlers, can play off the ball, and hit from deep, mid-range, and paint with a hand or two on their face. Chris Paul’s experience makes this a strong trio and the Suns have a great chance of grabbing a title despite finishing fourth in the rankings when it comes to the West.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers ended the season with a three-game winning streak in otherwise what was another underachieving season. Last season, Kawhi Leonard missed out completely, this season, Paul George has missed a lot of games and won’t be available for the first round here. The Clippers did acquire Russell Westbrook who bolstered the playmaking end but his scoring isn’t enough to cover what Paul George provides. Norman Powell will have to elevate his game further to aid his team’s ace Kawhi Leonard because offense isn’t certainly the strong suit for this squad.
Injuries
- Clippers: OUT: Paul George;
- Suns: QUESTIONABLE: Cameron Payne.
Player Props Predictions
- Expected Leading Scorers: Kevin Durant(30+ Points), Kawhi Leonard(26-32 Points);
- Expected Leading Rebounders: Ivica Zubac(10+ Rebounds), Deandre Ayton(9-12 Rebounds);
- Expected Leading Playmakers: Chris Paul(10-12 Assists), Russell Westbrook(9-11 Assists).
Expert Betting Tips
The Suns have been racking up wins when Kevin is playing and he elevates his game further when the Postseason arrives. The Clippers’ defense and offense both have taken a hit ever since Paul George has been off. It will be interesting to see how the Clippers defend Durant and even if they keep him down, Devin Booker can be too much alongside him. That’s why I expect the Suns to win and predict a scoreline of 123:110 in favor of Phoenix.