Game: Los Angeles Clippers @ Phoenix Suns
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Odds: Clippers +1, Suns -1
Total: 223.5
The Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns will both be happy to see the All-Star break. Both teams could use the rest to get ready for their stretch runs. Both teams made moves at the trade deadline that will significantly impact the rest of their seasons. Tonight, they meet at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
The Suns are much improved since their 1-9 stretch in the middle of January. Phoenix has won five of its last six games and seven of its last nine. The next objective for Phoenix is to get through the All-Star break. When the season continues, the Suns will welcome Kevin Durant to the lineup. Durant is currently recovering from a knee injury.
Both teams have been incorporating new players into the mix, with the Suns’ TJ Warren making his franchise debut in Tuesday’s 120-109 home win over the Sacramento Kings. Warren scored five points in seven minutes of action after being acquired in a trade last week.
Devin Booker scored 32 points in his third game after coming back from a groin issue. Chris Paul contributed a season-high 19 assists, and Deandre Ayton scored 29 points. The Suns are now 11-3 since that 10-game skid last month.
The Clippers will unleash a healthy Paul George and a healthy Kawhi Leonard on the league for the rest of the season. Los Angeles also made some deals at the trade deadline to enhance their roster for their second-half run.
Tyronn Lue, the head coach of the Clippers, had intended to ease up on Leonard and George going into the All-Star break, but he had to make a change after the Clippers lost two straight. Lue made some changes prior to the Clippers’ game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. His changes were a great success.
The Clippers easily defeated the Warriors 134-124 on the strength of a 44-point third quarter. Leonard and George were the keys as they combined for 53 points. Leonard had 33 on 12-of-17 shooting (7-of-9 from three-point range) and George scored 20.
New acquisition Mason Plumlee scored eight points and pulled down five rebounds in 17 minutes and Eric Gordon, also recently acquired, added seven points and three assists in 22 minutes. Bones Hyland added six points in 16 minutes as Los Angeles also got a first look at its three trade-deadline additions.
The Clippers are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games and 8-4 ATS in their last 12. They haven’t had much success against Phoenix going 1-4 SU and ATS in the last five games against the Suns. LA has played well on the road recently going 7-2 SU in the last nine games away from home.
In addition to their recent hot streaks, the Suns have also delivered against the number. Phoenix is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games. The Suns are also 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games. The Under is 6-0 in the last six games between these two teams.
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