L.a. Clippers vs Phoenix Suns Picks and Predictions October 23rd 2024

Clippers vs Suns October 23rd 2024

At 10:00 ET, the Suns (-203) will take on the Clippers (+171) in a Western Pacific Division matchup. The over/under line is set at 224.5.

Phoenix is favored by 5.5 points and is coming off a 49-33 season where they finished 6th in the West. The Clippers were 51-31 last year and finished 4th in the West. This game will be played at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood and can be seen on ESPN.

Suns vs. Clippers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers
• Where: Inglewood at Intuit Dome
• Date: Wednesday, October 23rd
• Betting Odds PHO -5.5, PHO -203 | LAC +171 O/U 224.5

The Suns Can Win If…

Ranked 11th in our pre-season power rankings, the Suns have a 62.6% chance of making the playoffs and a 28.7% chance of winning the division. Last season, they finished 49-33, placing 2nd in the Pacific Division and 6th in the Western Conference. They were 25-16 at home and 24-17 on the road.

Phoenix was 34-47 against the spread and 36-45-1 on over/unders, with their games averaging 229.4 points. They were favored in 61 games, going 40-21, but struggled against the spread, finishing 25-35.

Ranked 7th in our preseason offensive power rankings, the Suns finished last season 10th in points per game (116.2) and 15th in possessions per game (98.0). They were 5th in field goal percentage (49.3%) but 27th in attempts per game (86.1). From beyond the arc, Phoenix made 12.4 threes per game (20th) on 32.6 attempts (25th), shooting 38.2% (5th). They also ranked 6th in both free throw percentage (80.8%) and attempts per game (23.4).

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who both averaged 27.1 points per game last season, are projected to lead the team in scoring, with Booker ranked 8th and Durant 14th in our league-wide projections. Booker is also projected to finish 33rd in three-pointers made, while Grayson Allen is expected to lead the team in that category, ranking 31st. New addition Bradley Beal is projected to be the Suns’ third-leading scorer, ranking 57th in our projections.

Last season, the Suns ranked 12th in our defensive power rankings, allowing 113.2 points per game, which was 13th in the NBA. They held opponents to 46.5% shooting, ranking 8th in field-goal percentage defense, and were 14th in three-point defense, allowing 36.4%. Inside the arc, they were even better, holding teams to 53.1% shooting, which ranked 6th.

Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic are key rebounders, with Durant also being their top shot-blocker. Last season, the Suns ranked 6th in blocked shots and 7th in defensive rebounding. They averaged 7.4 steals per game, ranking 18th in the league.

• When looking at their past three road matchups, Phoenix has an ATS record of 1-2 while averaging 104 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• The last three games that Phoenix was favored, they have an ATS mark of 0-3 while going 1-2 straight up.
• Over their last five games, the Suns have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Clippers Can Win If…

Ranked 23rd in our power rankings, the Clippers enter the season with a 47.5% chance of making the playoffs and a 15.9% chance of winning the Pacific Division. Last season, they finished 51-31, placing 1st in the division and 4th in the Western Conference. They had a +3.0 scoring margin at home (25-16) and a +3.6 margin on the road (26-15).

Against the spread, the Clippers were 37-45, with an O/U record of 38-43-1. Their games averaged 228 points. As the favorite, they went 46-17, but they struggled as the underdog, going 5-14.

The Clippers enter the season ranked 19th in our offensive power rankings after finishing 12th in points per game (115.6) last season. They were 27th in possessions per game (96.6) and 26th in field goal attempts per game (86.7), but they were efficient, ranking 6th in field goal percentage (48.9%). They also ranked 6th in 3-point percentage (38.1%) and 3rd in free throw percentage (82.5%).

James Harden is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 45th in our league-wide projections. Kawhi Leonard, who averaged 23.7 points per game last season, is currently out. Norman Powell is projected to be the team’s 3rd-leading scorer, with Ivica Zubac and Terance Mann rounding out the top 5.

Last season, the Clippers ranked 10th in the NBA in points allowed, giving up 112.3 per game, but they come into this season ranked 27th in our defensive power rankings. Opponents shot 46.9% from the field against them, which was 12th in the league, and they allowed 36.2% shooting from beyond the arc. James Harden is expected to be a key rebounder, along with Ivica Zubac, who is also their top shot-blocker. Mo Bamba, another strong rebounder and shot-blocker, is currently out.

Los Angeles averaged 7.8 steals per game last season, ranking 7th in the NBA, and they were 15th in blocked shots, with 5.0 per game. They finished 17th in defensive rebounding. Inside the arc, they held opponents to 54% shooting, ranking 9th in the league.

• Across the Clippers last five home games, the team averaged 101 points per game while allowing 105. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 2-3 straight-up.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Los Angeles has an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.
• In their last three games, the Clippers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Our bet is on the Suns for a win, and we project the score to be 140-105. Additionally, we expect them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to wager on the Suns with the spread at -5.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 224.5, and our model projects the Suns and Clippers to reach a combined total of 245 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

ScoresandStats | The Edge You’ve Been Looking For

New Arena, Same Issues: Clippers Face Familiar Challenges in Season Opener Against Suns

The Los Angeles Clippers are set to begin a new era in their own state-of-the-art arena when they face the Phoenix Suns in their season opener. After 25 years of sharing a downtown Los Angeles venue with the Lakers, the Clippers will now call Inglewood, California, home. However, while the address has changed, many of the Clippers’ long-standing issues remain, primarily revolving around injuries and team cohesion. As the team steps into the spotlight at their new venue, they are burdened with familiar challenges that could define their season.

A New Beginning Clouded by Old Problems

The excitement of moving into a brand-new arena offers a fresh start for the Clippers, but persistent health concerns continue to overshadow the team’s potential. Star forward Kawhi Leonard remains out indefinitely due to chronic knee issues. Leonard, who missed the entire 2021-22 season, has played in just 120 of a possible 164 games over the last two seasons and only featured in four of the team’s 11 playoff games during that span. His ongoing absence casts a shadow over the team’s hopes of finally overcoming the playoff hurdles that have plagued them in recent years.

The Clippers’ fortunes have often been tied to Leonard’s health, and his prolonged unavailability continues to create uncertainty around their competitiveness. As the team embarks on a new era, it is clear that Leonard’s injury will be one of the biggest factors influencing their success or failure this season.

Roster Changes: Departures and New Faces

In addition to Leonard’s health, the Clippers face roster adjustments after the departure of Paul George, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. George’s exit is a significant blow to the team, as he provided elite scoring and defensive prowess alongside Leonard when both were healthy. His absence leaves a void in both leadership and production, further complicating the Clippers’ season outlook.

To fill that gap, the Clippers have brought in several new additions, including Kris Dunn, Kevin Porter Jr., and Mo Bamba, as well as second-round pick Cam Christie and forward Derrick Jones Jr.. While these acquisitions offer depth, it remains to be seen how well they will integrate into the Clippers’ system, especially with the unpredictability of Leonard’s availability.

Tyronn Lue’s System: Adaptability Is Key

Head coach Tyronn Lue is known for his tactical flexibility, and he continues to emphasize that the team’s system must adapt to the players on the court. “Whatever personnel we have, we gotta make sure our staff makes sure that our offense and defense fits our personnel,” Lue said. His ability to adjust his game plan based on player availability is critical, especially in a season where injuries and roster changes could frequently disrupt continuity.

Lue’s defensive focus will be further sharpened with the addition of Jeff Van Gundy as an assistant coach. Van Gundy, who was a senior consultant for the Boston Celtics last season, brings a wealth of defensive expertise that could help the Clippers enhance their performance on that end of the floor. With Van Gundy’s influence, the Clippers aim to remain competitive, even when their star players are sidelined.

Phoenix Suns: Adjusting Under New Leadership

The Clippers aren’t the only team navigating changes. The Phoenix Suns, who finished sixth in the Western Conference last season with a 49-33 record, are also adapting to a new structure. Tyus Jones steps in as the starting point guard under new head coach Mike Budenholzer, who replaced Frank Vogel in the offseason. Budenholzer, an Arizona native, brings championship experience to Phoenix, having led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA title in 2021.

The Suns’ core of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker remains intact, both of whom are fresh off a gold medal performance with Team USA at the Paris Olympics. However, like the Clippers, the Suns have made key roster moves that could alter their trajectory this season. Former Clippers center Mason Plumlee joins the team, adding depth to their frontcourt, while Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, and Jusuf Nurkic round out a solid roster that has the potential to contend for a deep playoff run.

Budenholzer’s No-Nonsense Approach

Under Budenholzer, the Suns are placing a strong emphasis on defense, a focus that mirrors Lue’s approach with the Clippers. However, Budenholzer insists that improvement will come from action, not words. “Talk is cheap, it’s really what we go out and do each day,” he said. His message underscores a commitment to tangible results, urging the team to focus on daily performance in practice and games, rather than making bold proclamations.

The Suns’ approach is also shaped by adjustments to their lineup. Grayson Allen, who started 74 of 75 games last season, will come off the bench this season due to Achilles soreness. This move is designed to give Allen more scoring opportunities with the second unit, while Tyus Jones takes over as the starting point guard.

Injuries Impact Both Teams

Both the Clippers and the Suns are dealing with early-season injuries that could impact their performances. While the Clippers are missing Leonard, the Suns will be without forward Josh Okogie, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. These injuries force both teams to rely more heavily on their depth, and the season opener will be an early test of how well they can adjust to these absences.

Season Outlook: Defense and Depth Will Be Key

As the Clippers and Suns prepare to open their seasons, defense and adaptability will be crucial for both teams. The Clippers, under Lue and Van Gundy, will focus on fine-tuning their defensive schemes while hoping to get Leonard back on the floor sooner rather than later. The Suns, under Budenholzer, are similarly looking to shore up their defense as they aim to make a deep playoff run with their talented core.

While both teams boast star power, their success this season will largely hinge on how well they manage injuries and integrate new players into their systems. The season opener between these two Western Conference contenders will provide an early glimpse of how they’re adapting to their respective challenges.

Conclusion: A Familiar Struggle in New Surroundings

The Clippers’ move to a new arena in Inglewood symbolizes a fresh start, but the lingering issues of injuries and roster uncertainties remain front and center. For the Suns, a new coach and strategic adjustments offer optimism, but player health will be a constant concern. Both teams enter the season with high hopes, but their ability to navigate these familiar challenges will be the key to their success.