Clippers vs. Suns 2023 NBA Playoffs Odds and Game 1 Preview – April 16th

By Jeff Stinger • April 14, 2023

A star-filled first-round series heads our way, as the LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns do battle in the Western Conference’s side of the NBA Playoffs. The Suns made a late-season push thanks to the acquisition of a future Hall of Famer in Kevin Durant, while the Clippers’ decision to acquire former MVP Russell Westbrook has worked out for them compared to Westbrook’s previous teams. Who’ll come out on top of this huge primetime clash on Sunday?

Nitrobetting is ready to dish out key assists and lob passes with betting tips and news coverage throughout the 2023 NBA Playoffs. This time, let’s break down the upcoming Game 1 first-round showdown between the LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns.

Clippers vs. Suns Game 1 2023 NBA Playoffs First-Round Information

When: Sunday, April 16, 2023, 8:00 PM ET
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
TV: TNT
Radio: KLAC 570 AM (Clippers) // KMVP-FM 98.7 FM (Suns)
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
NBA Betting Odds: Clippers (+6.5) / Suns (-6.5)

Why Bet on the Los Angeles Clippers?

Winners of 11 of their last 16 games, the LA Clippers head into the playoffs in decent form, finishing as the No. 5 seed in the West and just one game shy of tying the Suns’ record for the fourth seed. Unfortunately, the Clippers will be handicapped in the first round as eight-time All-Star Paul George is expected to miss the entire first round of the postseason with a knee injury.

In turn, former NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard will have to pull more weight than usual with PG13 on the sidelines. Both Leonard and George averaged exactly 23.8 points per game this season, so it’s obvious that LA’s scoring opportunities are compromised. On the other hand, Russell Westbrook has sort of regained his composure after bouncing around the league as the odds man out despite his past credentials. Westbrook is averaging a team-high 7.5 assists while still posting decent averages of 15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game on the side.

In general, the Clippers are an above-average team on both offense and defense. However, the absence of George will have a huge impact on the series. That leaves the likes of Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, and Ivaca Zubac to rediscover their respective magic during their run in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

Why Bet on the Phoenix Suns?

With their position in the Western Conference race slowly slipping, the Phoenix Suns pulled the trigger on a deal that will send two-time NBA champion and former league MVP Kevin Durant to the desert. That move has certainly paid off for the Suns, who are a perfect 8-0 with Durant during the regular season.

On paper, Phoenix should have a scary-good offense with the wealth of firepower between Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton. However, the team ranked just 17th in the league averaging 113.6 points per game. Instead, the Suns are quietly one of the better defensive teams in the NBA, as their 11.6 points allowed to their opponents is good enough for sixth overall.

Similar to the Clippers, the Suns are very top heavy considering that their teams run through their three biggest stars. Luckily for the Suns, they are more healthy entering the playoffs and winning seven straight before sitting out most of their starters in the last two games of the regular season makes for a solid case that they are the hottest team entering the postseason right now.

Clippers vs. Suns Betting Trends

The Clippers are 3-5 in the last eight road games (SU/ATS).
The Clippers are 4-4 in its last eight meetings against Phoenix (3-5 ATS).
The totals went under in six of the last eight games between LA and Phoenix.
The Suns are 6-1 in the last seven home games (4-3 ATS).
The Suns have won eight straight contests as favorites to win (5-3 ATS).
The totals went over in three of Phoenix’s last four games of the regular season.

Clippers vs. Suns Game 1 Expert Betting Predictions

As the betting trends above would indicate, LA and Phoenix are virtually evenly matched. Part of that has to do with the revolving roster of players in a given matchup, as neither of the Clippers or the Suns’ “big three” have faced each other at the same time this season. That being said, and with the absence of George in the series opener, one can’t help but be inclined to give Game 1 to the Suns in a win that could be a total blowout.

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2022-23 NBA season previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest basketball betting odds on our online BTC sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.