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Saturday, April 22 2023
Suns vs. Clippers prediction, odds, line, time: 2023 NBA playoff picks, Game 3 bets from model on 71-37 run

The Los Angeles Clippers host the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the first-round matchup on Thursday night in the 2023 NBA playoffs. The Suns (45-37) finished the regular season as the No. 4 seed, while the Clippers (44-38) were right behind them in the fifth spot. The teams have been going back and forth all campaign long, splitting the four regular season matchups 2-2. Paul George (knee) remains out for the Clippers, while Cameron Payne (back) is questionable for the Suns. Kawhi Leonard (knee) has also been ruled out of Game 3 due to a knee sprain.

Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Caesars Sportsbook lists Phoenix as an 8-point favorite in the latest Suns vs. Clippers odds. The over/under for total points is 225. Before making any Clippers vs. Suns picks, you need to see the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 71-37 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Suns vs. Clippers and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Clippers vs. Suns:

  • Suns vs. Clippers spread: Phoenix -8
  • Suns vs. Clippers Over-Under: 225 points
  • Suns vs. Clippers money line: Phoenix -350, Los Angeles +275
  • PHO: Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on one day of rest
  • LAC: Clippers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following an ATS loss
  • Suns vs. Clippers picks

Why the Suns can cover

Center Deandre Ayton is an athletic and fluid big man for the Suns. Ayton has a sweet shooting stroke from the mid-range and owns a soft touch around the basket. The Arizona product leads the team in rebounds (10.5) with 16 points per game in the postseason. On Tuesday, he finished with 14 points and 13 boards.

Guard Chris Paul brings a veteran edge to the backcourt. Paul is an exceptional facilitator who owns terrific court vision, and the 12-time All-Star is an asset in the mid-range due to his reliable jumper. Paul is putting up 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and nine assists a game this postseason. In his last outing, he dropped 16 points and eight assists. See who to back at SportsLine.

Why the Clippers can cover

Los Angeles has a deep roster with plenty of players who can give them solid minutes. Guard Norman Powell is very athletic and will put the ball on the deck to attack the lane. Powell can also space the floor due to his smooth jumper, and the UCLA product logs 13 points and 1.5 steals through two games. In Game 2, he had 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Center Ivica Zubac is the squad's best rebounder as he is constantly battling down low to gain positioning. He's leading the team in rebounds (10.5) with 10 points per game in this postseason. In Game 1, Zubac notched 12 points and 15 boards, while guard Eric Gordon is a threat from the perimeter. Gordon excels as a catch-and-shoot option, and the 34-year-old is averaging 15.5 points while making 43% of his 3-point attempts. On Tuesday, Gordon had 12 points and four 3-pointers. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make Suns vs. Clippers picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 221 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.

Posted by: AT 12:05 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
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