Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers
Despite holding a 2-1 advantage in the Western Conference Finals, the Suns cannot afford to give the Clippers an inch if they have plans to make it back to the NBA Finals.
The Suns are well-aware to what happened before with the Mavericks and the Jazz and they’ll look to avoid the same fate by going up 3-1 after tomorrow.
The Clippers, meanwhile, will have to find a way to even this best-of-seven-series without their top player in Kawhi Leonard. And just like in the earlier rounds, Tyronn Lue’s men will not go down without a fight.
Read on below as SBOTOP features this thrilling WCF clash at Staples Center.
Talking Points
Suns’ star duo need to re-establish themselves
Chris Paul was delighted to be back after being sidelined due to the league’s health and safety protocols, but he wasn’t happy with his team’s performance in Game 3.
He and Devin Booker shot a paltry 10-for-40 from the field while committing six of their 11 turnovers, and that was enough for the Clippers to subdue the Suns to get the 106-92 victory.
Patrick Beverley was able to slow down Devin Booker with his tenacious defence while rust was evident for Chris Paul after an 11-day layoff.
Booker, who was superb in the previous rounds against the Lakers and the Nuggets, only tallied 15 points after averaging 30.0 points per game in the first two matches.
Deandre Ayton led them in scoring with 18 points, while Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson were the other two who scored in double digits.
The Clippers’ physicality overwhelmed them in Game 3 and one way to combat it is by playing with an increased pace on the offensive end.
While it is clear that Devin Booker and Chris Paul are going to spearhead their charge, the Suns are at their very best when everyone’s contributing and head coach Monty Williams needs to find a way to get them all going tomorrow.
The Clippers have been on this road before
With the Clippers banged up, the biggest question is whether they still have enough in them to advance to their first-ever finals.
According to the latest NBA 2021 news, Kawhi Leonard remains sidelined due to a sprained right knee while Marcus Morris is going to be a game-time decision for Game 4 due to his left knee.
As things stand now, the Clippers can only go to as far as where Paul George can take them and he must bring his A-game every night.
The 31-year-old swingman has done his part so far by posting a healthy scoring average of 29.0 points per game after the first three matches.
The Clippers have one of the deepest squads in the NBA and that was the key reason why they came back from 0-2 deficits against the Mavericks and the Jazz earlier.
Reggie Jackson plays a huge role as their starting point guard, while Terance Mann serves as a sparkplug off the bench.
Jackson and Mann are the team’s x-factors in this series. And if they somehow play beyond themselves, the Clippers might just do it again.
History
The Suns are doing well in their first trip back to the playoffs.
Their last appearance was back in 2010 to where they pushed the other Los Angeles team in six games during the WCF, but they came up short because of Kobe Bryant’s heroics.
In contrast, this is the Clippers’ ninth playoff run in the last 10 seasons and this is their first-ever conference finals appearance, breaking their 50-year drought.
Los Angeles almost made it to the WCF last season if only they didn’t collapse against Denver after holding a 3-1 edge. But with a new coach and a retooled lineup this time, the Clippers are hoping to advance to their first-ever finals appearance.
The Suns and the Clippers have met in the playoffs before in the 2006 Western Conference semis. The Steve Nash-led Suns moved on to the WCF after winning Game 7 in the said series.
What are the odds?
The NBA 2021 odds point to a close Game 4, maybe similar to what happened in Games 1 and 2.
You can bet for Phoenix in the money line market for 1.88, with Los Angeles not far behind at 2.02. The Suns are slightly favoured in the Asian Handicap market with their lowest spread pegged at -1.50 at 1.88.
Much of this year’s NBA playoffs has come down to a battle of attrition. And with the Suns looking like the healthier team on paper, along with their solid chemistry, they are poised to bring the Clippers to the sword with a 3-1 lead.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE BASKETBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
