Clippers vs Suns Odds, Expert Pick, Game 1 Prediction | NBA Playoffs Betting Preview (April 16)

Clippers vs. Suns Odds

The Los Angeles Clippers head to the Footprint Center on Sunday to take on the Phoenix Suns in the first game of the 4-5 matchup in the Western Conference Playoffs.

The Clippers will notably be without Paul George, who is rumored to be out for the series, but has only officially been ruled out for Game 1. For the Suns, they are the most complete they have been since the Kevin Durant acquisition, with only Cameron Payne set to miss Game 1.

The Sun have looked borderline unstoppable with their full Durant-led starting five. In fact, they're a perfect 8-0 with Durant in the lineup.

On the other side of the court, George's absence makes the task all that much more challenging, but it has opened the door for other players to contribute and for bettors to find value. Let's dig into the matchup and come up with a betting prediction for Clippers vs Suns.

Los Angeles Clippers

Since George went down on March 21, the Clippers have played eight games. They're 5-3, but have had some help from teams resting players here and there.

One player who has made the most of George's absence is Norman Powell. He's averaging 20.0 points per game in the six games he played without George during this stretch and has a great ceiling on his points escalator in George's absence. Powell has cleared 25 points in six of the 19 games he has played without George this season, and it makes perfect sense. The books know to raise his line a bit with George out, but it's really the ceiling of his points prop that has the best value.

There are a few different ways to play this. Bettors can place a straight bet on Powell to score 25+ points at FanDuel at +550, but if they want it as part of a same-game parlay, they can get it at +600 at DraftKings. Some bettors have been receiving risk-free same-game parlays at DraftKings, so that could be played with a play the book might not have as correlated (which is where they really get you), such as Phoenix moneyline.

Phoenix Suns

Speaking of Phoenix moneyline, that feels like a safe bet, albeit one bettors have to lay a lot of juice for. The Suns have looked elite with their prime starting five healthy, and while Payne is a notable missing piece for the bench, the starters have a significant enough gap over the Clippers starters that the bench may be irrelevant, especially in regards to the moneyline.

The Clippers side of the spread has taken some sharp money, but the moneyline hasn't.

Th Suns are just too perfect on offense with this crew. They have three of the best mid-range killers in the game, and Chris Paul, Durant and Devin Booker have all leaned into sharing the basketball. In fact, Booker's assists have notably popped since Durant arrived. Booker is averaging 6.9 assists per game in the eight games they've played together. Booker has reached six assists in six of those eight, but bettors can still get plus money on over 5.5 assists at pretty much every book.

Clippers-Suns Pick

I like the Suns to win Game 1, but with the moneyline as juicy as it is, I am targeting a few player props instead.

Powell has been key in filling George's void all season, and the ceiling on his points total is especially notable as he's cleared 25 points in six of the 19 games without George. I am playing Powell to score 25+ points (+550) at FanDuel.

Booker has been far more central as a playmaker with Durant in town, and as such, I'll be playing over 5.5 assists (+112) at FanDuel.

Pick: Booker Over 5.5 assists | Powell 25+ Points