Suns vs Clippers Picks and Predictions: Wall Turns Back the Clock

The Los Angeles Clippers have finally started to get healthy, and that means they are looking much more like contenders in the Western Conference. Behind Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have won three in a row heading into tonight’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns.

However, George and Leonard will both be unavailable as the team is playing the second half of a back-to-back. Luckily for Los Angeles, the Suns are dealing with their own set of injuries. As a result, Phoenix has stumbled, dropping five games in a row, straight up and against the spread.

With the Clippers stars sitting this one out, the Suns are short chalk in this matchup despite their struggles. I break down this matchup and bring you my best bet in our free NBA picks and predictions for Suns vs. Clippers on December 15.

Suns vs Clippers best odds

Suns vs Clippers picks and predictions

Tonight’s matchup between the Suns and Clippers feels like a version of last man standing.

The suddenly-healthy Clippers have won three games in a row, including a 99-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves last night. 

Tonight, they'll need to put points with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Reggie Jackson, and Norman Powell all listed out. Ivica Zubac and Luke Kennard are also currently questionable.

The story is similar for the Suns. Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton are questionable to play and are already without key contributors Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson.

So, how do you bet a game with so many guys sitting out? Well, I’ll be betting on someone to pick up the scoring slack in this one. In this case, I’m going with former All-Star John Wall.

Wall has been limited so far in his comeback season with the Clippers, but he has shown flashes of his old Washington self. Wall is averaging 12.3 points per game this season on 42% shooting. In the last game he played without Leonard and George, Wall shouldered much of the scoring load, putting up 26 points on 7-of-19 shooting in a Nov. 30 meeting with Utah.

During the Suns’ current five-game stumble, they’ve had some issues containing opposing point guards, ranking 24th in the NBA in field goal percentage against the position.

Someone has to spearhead the offense for Los Angeles tonight. With four of the Clippers’ Top-5 scorers sitting this one out, I’m going with Wall.

My best bet: John Wall Over 17.5 Points (-115)

Suns vs Clippers spread analysis

The spread for this matchup has been like a game of hopscotch with all the injuries. The Clippers opened this one as 2.5-point favorites, but with Leonard, George, Jackson, and Kennard all out, the line jumped the fence to Suns -3.5. Since then, Phoenix has moved to -4.

That makes sense due to the fact there is still a slight chance Booker and Ayton suit up for this one. Make sure to keep an eye on their status because it could move again when the news becomes official. 

Simply put, I just don’t know how you can feel confident backing either side in this matchup. If Booker and Ayton play, maybe hop on the Suns. But otherwise, who knows what could happen in this matchup with so many key players out.

I’m playing it safe and staying away from the spread in this one.

Suns vs Clippers Over/Under analysis

The total for this matchup initially hit the board at 217. When the Clippers announced half their team would sit this one out, the number dropped to 215, which is where it sits as of Thursday afternoon. I’m not sure that’s low enough.

While the Clippers are missing a ton of guys, Ty Lou’s defensive scheme is still there, and this team now ranks fourth in defensive rating and second in opponent-effective field goal percentage. 

Tonight, they’ll take on a Phoenix team that could be without up to four key contributors. As I mentioned, the last five games have been rough. The Suns rank 24th in scoring, putting up just 109.4 points per game while ranking next-to-last in effective field goal percentage. 

Unless Booker and Ayton play a prominent role in this one, buckets could be hard to come by once again for the Suns.

That said, it’s not like the Clippers are clicking on offense, either. They just won a game where they put up just 99 points, and they still rank 19th in effective field goal percentage and 29th in offensive rating. Plus, as we’ve noted, most of the top scorers will be missing in this one.

Even in this banged-up state, the Suns are a solid defensive bunch, ranking 11th in defensive rating this season. I would lean towards this being an ugly, defensive matchup and would think about taking the Under in this spot.

Suns vs Clippers betting trend to know

The Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings between the Suns and Clippers. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Clippers.

Suns vs Clippers game info

Suns vs Clippers key injuries

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