NBA Playoff Betting June 22, 2021 – Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns
The Los Angeles Clippers are in a familiar position heading into Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Phoenix Suns. The Clips bounced back to knock off Dallas and Utah after losing the first two games of those series and they won’t have Kawhi Leonard as they attempt to even the best-of-seven on Tuesday night. Star power is missing on the other side as well with Chris Paul ruled out due to COVID issues. The Suns won the opener 120-114 with Paul on the shelf, their eighth straight postseason playoff victory and payout. The Suns hit the NBA betting board as a 6-point favorite in Game 2.
Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns
Date and Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 9 p.m. ET
Location: Phoenix Suns Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Opening NBA Odds: Phoenix -6, O/U 224
Clippers at Suns TV Coverage: ESPN
Odds Analysis
Games between the teams this season have been close so it was a little surprising to see the spread open at Phoenix -6. Sure, the absence of Leonard had something to do with that as did the Suns 6-point win in Game 1. Still, that would have been the biggest line in any of the five games this season. We did see some action with the line wagered down a half point, but that hasn’t mattered to the Suns, who have eight straight wins and covers, five while the favorite and three as an underdog. Phoenix is 2-0 SU and ATS in its last two games against the Clips winning the final regular season matchup 109-101 as a 4.5-point favorite. LA won all three road games in its first round series with Dallas and is 4-2 SU and ATS in away games this postseason.
Los Angeles Clippers
Leonard will be out of action for Game 2 and likely beyond as he deals with a knee injury that the team thought would end his postseason. Without the former Finals MVP, the Clips were able to win consecutive games against Utah to close out that series with the best regular season team in the league. So his absence, though crucial, shouldn’t affect the club too much. We saw other players step up in Leonard’s absence. Reggie Jackson scored 22 points in Game 5 of the Utah series and Terrance Mann was unconscious in the clincher dropping 39 while hitting 7 of 10 three-pointers.
The constant in Leonard’s absence, though, has been Paul George, who scored 34 points on Sunday. George scored at least 31 points in four of the last five games and is averaging 33 points since Leonard hit the shelf. George will shoulder even more of the load in Game 2 with Marcus Morris questionable after getting hurt in the opener. Morris played sparingly in the second half scoring just six points. He’s averaging 11.8 this postseason, fourth-best on the team. The Clips have made adjustments all postseason and will again, according to George. “We’ve been great adjusting and we’ve been great at playing better as the series goes on,” he said.
Phoenix Suns
Paul wasn’t at his best during the opening series against the Lakers and the Suns struggled at times without their floor leader. They still managed to take out the defending champs learning a few things along the way. While Game 1 was tight, the Suns showed how they’ve matured and held on with an impressive fourth quarter. The highlight was the play of Devin Booker, who has been a monster throughout the playoffs. Booker picked the right time to record his first career triple-double scoring 40 points with 13 rebounds and 11 assists. If you thought the moment might be too big for a young club, you were mistaken.
Booker is averaging 29 points this postseason and carried the offense in the early part of the Lakers series when the team struggled. They were held to 102 points or less in the first four games despite getting a pair of 30 point games from Booker. Phoenix averaged over 115 points during the regular season while ranking second in field goal percentage. They’ve looked a lot like that team over the last seven games averaging nearly 120 points while scoring at least that many in four of their last five outings. They’ve cashed the OVER in two straight games and in four of their last six.
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If the Clippers do get better as the series progress, like George mentioned, this game should be closer than the first. The Clips got within a hoop late in the fourth quarter only to have a blown defensive assignment lead to a Booker basket that put the game away. The Clips were good defensively during the regular season and I expect they will lock down on Booker making things more interesting. Still, we should see offense and I like the visitors plus the points.
NBA Score Prediction: Suns 118, Clippers 115
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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
