We get a potential preview of the Western Conference Finals before the All-Star break as the Los Angeles Clippers are set to visit the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns made the biggest splash at the trade deadline when they acquired superstar Kevin Durant, but the superstar is not expected back until sometime after the break. Phoenix is still 2-1 without KD since the trade deadline, but the Clippers should provide a stiffer test this evening.
NBA odds are expecting a close contest tonight as the Suns are laying just one point at home. I break down this prime-time matchup and bring you my best bet in our free NBA picks and predictions for Clippers vs. Suns on February 16.
Clippers vs Suns best odds
Clippers vs Suns picks and predictions
This will be the third meeting of the season between the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns. The Suns won both of the previous two meetings by an average of 16.5 points. However, these two teams look a lot ifferent than they did when they last met back in December.
For starters, Kawhi Leonard didn’t play in either of those basketball games, and Paul George only played in one.
Despite the fact the Clippers are just 3-3 in their last six games overall, this is a different team with Leonard truly healthy for the first time since his championship run with the Raptors back in 2019.
And you can see the difference on the court.
Over Leonard's last 16 games played, the Clippers are 11-5 and rank fifth in offensive rating. The star forward is logging 36.5 minutes per contest and is averaging 28.3 points on 52.9% shooting, which includes an impressive 49.4% shooting clip from 3-point range. He’s also adding 6.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
You can find out more about why I like Leonard to go over his point total in my NBA player prop picks piece, but to sum it up, the Suns don’t have anyone to really slow Leonard down.
Yes, the trade deadline brought in Kevin Durant, but it also shipped out the Suns' best two 3-and-D players in Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson. With KD, Cameron Payne, and Landry Shamet all on the shelf until after the All-Star game, the Suns are working with a thin lineup.
Meanwhile, the Clippers did a solid job at the deadline extending their rotation, bringing in Eric Gordon, Bones Hyland, and Mason Plumlee.
These teams will be evenly matched come playoff time but tonight the Clippers have the more complete offense and the deeper bench. I’m backing Kawhi and the Clippers on the moneyline in this one.
My best bet: Clippers moneyline (+100 at Betway)
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Clippers vs Suns spread analysis
The Suns opened this matchup as 1-point home favorites for tonight's matchup. Devin Booker is back and playing well, last dropping 32 points against the Kings on Tuesday. The Suns are also 20-9 at home and a respectable 17-12 against the spread.
That said, the Clippers have the edge in this specific matchup until the Suns get to full strength. While the Suns held the Clippers to 95 points in each of their first two meetings, I'm throwing everything out of the window when it comes to the Kawhi-less Clippers.
Since January 8, Leonard has missed three games and the Clippers lost all of them by 13 points or more. The Clippers are also 8-2 ATS in the last 10 games in which Leonard has been on the court.
Clippers vs Suns Over/Under analysis
The total hit the board at 224 and it’s the Under that has seen most of the early action, moving the number down to 221.5 as of Thursday afternoon.
The first two meetings between these two teams fell well below totals of 218.5 and 219.5, but once again, those games did not involve Leonard.
In what I’m calling the “healthy-Kawhi” segment of the season for the Clippers, their offense ranks fifth in efficiency and is putting up a respectable 116.1 ppg. They now face a Phoenix defense that is solid... but shorthanded.
Meanwhile, with Booker back, the Suns have put up 117 points or more in their last two games. Even though the Clippers' defense rank 11th in defensive rating, they will also be without one of the best defenders in Norman Powell.
No official play for me here, but I would lean toward the Over.
Clippers vs Suns betting trend to know
Los Angeles is 6-2 ATS in its last eight road games. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Suns.
Clippers vs Suns game info
| Location: | Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ |
| Date: | Thursday, February 16, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
