Suns vs Clippers Picks, Prediction Tonight

Here's everything you need to know about Suns vs. Clippers on Monday, Jan. 8 — our expert prediction and betting picks for tonight.

Two contenders — we think. Two divisive teams — we know. We'll see which version of each team shows up tonight.

Chances are neither will be playing in June, but we won't have to worry about that yet.

Let's get to our Suns vs. Clippers prediction and pick.

Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have played just five games together, but did reunite for a 121-115 loss to a Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies yesterday.

Usually I'd tell you about the underlying numbers and data for the Suns, but how do you even do that with this team?

Beal, Durant and Booker have a five-game sample size as teammates. They're 2-3 and all the games have been at home.

They're 19-17 and beginning a three-game road trip against both L.A. teams followed by the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

Of note, the big three combined for 59 points on 25-for-52 shooting and just 2-of-8 from the perimeter in the loss to Memphis. Jusuf Nurkic got 18 points and 19 rebounds, so there's that.

Injury-wise, Eric Gordon (knee), Nassir Little (knee), Bol Bol (ankle) and Damion Lee (knee) all missed Sunday's loss.

We'll go through some numbers with the Clippers, since they actually have a real sample size around their core, who have been together almost all season.

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Coming off a 106-103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, the Clippers are 22-13 and fourth in the Western Conference. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak, which included a 131-122 Clippers win in Phoenix on Jan. 3. (Of course, Durant was out for that game, because it's as if the Suns are contractually obligated to miss somebody.)

This time, they're in L.A., and the Clips are 19-11 since adding James Harden, 19-6 since we all made fun of them for that initial losing streak.

This team's core of Harden, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook have played 24 games together — Harden and Westbrook haven't missed time yet, and though George and Leonard have recently missed two and four games, respectively, the core four have logged at least 30 appearances each this season.

A minor upset yes, but we have well over 50% of the season to go, give the obvious pending misfortune some time, futures bettors.

Anyway, the Clippers offense has gotten better as the season has went, now up to second in three-point percentage (38.6), fifth in true shooting percentage (59.8), and eighth in points per 100 possessions at 118.7.

Both the Clippers and Suns play slowly, each fifth and sixth in Pace, respectively, which should be of note given the likely temptation to go over because of all the star power.

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We'll talk this out briefly, because this game is a fairly tough one.

The Suns are the second-worst team in the NBA against the spread at 13-22-1 (37.1%). The Clippers are middle of the pack at 18-17 (51.4%). The Suns are 3-2 ATS with no rest, and the Clips are 2-3.

Another stat? No team has more unders than the Clippers. They are 13-21-1, going over just 38.2% of the time, a league-low, but it just means they have a league-high 61.8% under hit rate. The Suns are 20-16, going over 55.6% of games, 11th in the league.

As a home favorite, the Clippers are going under in 75% of their games (4-12-1), while the Suns go under as a road dog in 83.3% of their games, going over once in six tries.

We're leaning under. Over 80% of bets at one prominent book are going over 228.5, and yes, the star power, but the Clipper sample size comes with continuity, and these teams play two of the league's slowest paces.

Pick: Under 228.5