The Los Angeles Clippers’ season is not over yet. But a loss this Monday would send them packing for a vacation. Will the Clippers extend the series with a win on the road against the Phoenix Suns Monday night? Or will the Suns book their spots in the 2021 NBA Finals? Check out our preview of this game below.
Down 3-1 in the series, the Clippers will still not have Kawhi Leonard for Monday’s game. That’s a huge bumper for the Clippers, who are having a hard time solving Phoenix. Paul George, however, is doing all he can. As much-maligned George has been with his late-game shortcomings in the free-throw line, the Clippers wouldn’t have any sting behind their punches if not for PG3. George is leading the Clippers in the Western Conference Finals with 27.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. He’s getting ample help from Reggie Jackson AKA Mr. June, who’s pumping out 21.5 points in the series thus far. But guys like Terrance Mann and Luke Kennard should really step it up to lighten the heavy load on George’s shoulders.
The Clippers are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games on a Monday. The over is 4-0 in the Clippers’ last four games as an underdog.
The Suns are going in for a kill this Monday. It would be a perfect time to finish off the Clippers, as they will be playing in front of their fans. In their Game 4 84-80 road win over the Clippers, the Suns were led by Devin Booker, who manufactured 25 points, albeit on an inefficient 8/22 shooting from the field. Booker hasn’t been shooting well the past couple of games, but that’s not going to stop him from launching every shot he wants to take. He’s still getting to the free-throw line a lot, which compensates for his misses from the floor. If you’re looking for efficiency, then there’s Deandre Ayton to gaze at. Ayton is averaging 20.3 in the series on a nice 69.6 percent shooting from the floor. The Suns’ defense is also causing all sorts of problems for the Clippers, who are shooting just 42.0 percent from the floor in the conference finals.
Phoenix is 9-2 against the spread in its last 11 games overall. The under is 5-1 in the Suns’ last six Conference Finals games.
