2021 NBA Playoffs: Clippers vs. Suns odds, line, picks, Game 1 predictions from model on 100-66 roll

by 24USATVJune 20, 2021, 11 p.m. 24
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The Phoenix Suns welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to town for a Game 1 showdown on Sunday afternoon. The Suns and Clippers face off in the Western Conference finals with highly anticipated matchups on both sides. Phoenix has the rest advantage after sweeping the Denver Nuggets, while Los Angeles needed six games to defeat the Utah Jazz. However, Sunday's showdown will be missing two of its biggest stars as Kawhi Leonard (knee) is out for the Clippers, and Chris Paul (protocols) is out for the Suns.

Tip-off is at 3:30 p.m. ET in Phoenix. William Hill Sportsbook lists Phoenix as four-point home favorites, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 220 in the latest Clippers vs. Suns odds. Before you make any Suns vs. Clippers picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned over $9,100 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. The model is up almost $900 on its top-rated picks this season and entered the conference semifinals of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on a stunning 100-66 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread dating back to last season. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has locked in its Clippers vs. Suns picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Suns vs. Clippers:
• LAC: The Clippers are 8-3 against the spread in the last 11 games
• PHO: The Suns have covered the spread in seven straight games

Why the Clippers can cover

The Clippers lead all playoff teams in offensive efficiency, scoring more than 1.23 points per possession. That is remarkable on its own, but Los Angeles kept it up without Leonard in the last two games, with both Paul George and role players emerging. George is averaging 26.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in the playoffs, with Reggie Jackson contributing 16.6 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 44 percent from long range. Jackson erupted for 27 points and 10 assists in the team's Game 6 win over Utah, with youthful wing Terance Mann scoring 39 points in a memorable breakout.

Los Angeles finished with the NBA's No. 3 offense during the regular season, and the Clippers currently lead all playoff teams in overall shooting efficiency. Phoenix presents unique challenges with its defensive effectiveness, but Los Angeles has shown the ability to adjust, particularly in the way the Clippers were able to neutralize the defensive brilliance of Rudy Gobert near the end of the Western Conference semifinals.

Why the Suns can cover

Phoenix enjoyed a tremendous regular season and the Suns are showing no signs of slowing down. The Suns were the No. 7 offensive team in the NBA, scoring more than 1.16 points per possession, and they finished second in the NBA in field goal percentage (49.0 percent), two-point percentage (56.3 percent) and free throw percentage (83.4 percent). Phoenix moves the ball at an elite level, as evidenced by 26.9 assists per game during the regular season, and Monty Williams' team leads the 2021 NBA Playoffs in assist rate at 61.3 percent.

The Suns also take care of the ball in impressive fashion, and they can also rely on a potent defense. Phoenix ranks No. 2 in the NBA Playoffs in defensive rating, giving up only 104.7 points per 100 possessions, and the Suns have a league-leading mark in shooting efficiency allowed. The Clippers are a high-powered offensive team, but Phoenix is better suited to slowing them than previous opponents, particularly with a high-end wing stopper in Mikal Bridges and plenty of switchable pieces like Jae Crowder.

How to make Suns vs. Clippers picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting 210 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 50 percent of the time. You can only get this pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Clippers vs. Suns? And which side of the spread hits over 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks.

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