NBA Free Picks: Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns Betting Odds and Predictions on October 23

The Los Angeles Clippers begin life without Russell Westbrook and Paul George in a new arena on Wednesday when take on the star-studded Phoenix Suns team led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker at the Intuit Arena.

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Playing previously in Crypto.com Arena alongside the Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers step out of the former’s shadow beginning this season as they officially play their future games in the new venue.

• However, the Clippers will head into this matchup as the 4.5-point underdogs as per the latest Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns betting lines.
• The preseason showed some glimpses of how both teams look heading into the upcoming season with the Clippers winning four of their five games and the Suns recording three wins out of five.
• Both teams faced four times last season with the Clippers winning three but it was the Suns that had the last laugh, beating the former in their final encounter 128-104.

Will the Clippers’ dominance against the Suns carry over this season or will the latter get some much needed retribution? Keep scrolling as we look at the current state of both teams in this Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns sports betting predictions article.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns DraftKings NBA Odds for October 23

Moneyline

• Los Angeles Clippers: +164
• Phoenix Suns: -198

Spread

• Los Angeles Clippers: +4.5 (-108)
• Phoenix Suns: -4.5 (-112)

Over/Under (Total)

• OVER 223.5 (-112)
• UNDER 223.5 (-108)

Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns Injury Report

Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report

1. PJ Tucker – Personal – Out
2. Kawhi Leonard – Knee – Out
3. Trentyn Flowers – Left Wrist – Out
4. Mo Bamba - Knee - Day-to-Day

Phoenix Suns Injury Report

1. Grayson Allen – Achilles – Probable
2. Josh Okogie – Hamstring – Probable
3. Damion Lee - Hamstring - Probable

Best NBA odds for Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns

• The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns in three of their four meetings last season. The best Los Angeles Clippers odds to win outright are available on BetMGM at +165.
• The Phoenix Suns have covered the spread in their previous encounter with the Los Angeles Clippers. DraftKings offers the best odds for the Suns to cover the spread at -112.
• The under hit in four of the previous six encounters between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Phoenix Suns. The best Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns odds for the under are available on DraftKings at -108.

Why will the Los Angeles Clippers cover the spread?

The Los Angeles Clippers head into this game as the 4.5-point underdogs and that has a lot to do with the absence of Kawhi Leonard who will be out indefinitely due to a nagging knee injury.

However, even with Leonard’s absence, the Clippers still have enough offensive firepower to frustrate the Phoenix Suns and possibly pull off the upset.

• Now approaching his 16th season, former league Most Valuable Player (MVP) James Harden still remains a threat to score, having averaged 20.5 points, 10.5 assists, and six rebounds in two appearances against the Suns last season.

With Paul George leaving the Clippers to join the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason and Leonard out indefinitely, expect the team’s offense to run through Harden in this game.

• It is also worth noting that the Clippers were 2-0 against the Suns last season when Harden played.

One thing that the Clippers have to do here to increase their chance of success is to find ways to contain the scoring trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.

In their lone defeat to Phoenix last season, Los Angeles allowed the three to combine for 87 of their opponents’ 124 points. If that wasn’t bad enough, they were also out-rebounded by the Suns 48-44 with center Jusuf Nurkic accounting for 19 boards.

• Fortunately, the Clippers now have enough size down low after acquiring centers Mo Bamba and Kai Jones, who will likely provide depth into the Clippers frontcourt.
• It is also worth noting that they are taking on a Suns team that was historically terrible at covering the spread last season, only doing so 38 times out of 82 games.

Should Los Angeles win the battle of the boards and Harden gets his usual offense going, backing the new-look Clippers to start their season strong and cover the spread might be worth more than a couple of c-notes.

Why will the Phoenix Suns cover the spread?

The Phoenix Suns were supposed to compete for the title last year. At least, that’s what the bookmakers thought, putting them at +600 to win it all.

However, everything went to naught when they got swept by the surging Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. Now, the Suns are back in title contention as among teams who will likely compete for the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy.

Unlike other teams which made major moves during the offseason, the Suns almost kept their lineup intact, only letting go of Drew Eubanks, David Roddy, and Eric Gordon.

Although the departure of Gordon could adversely impact the Suns’ offense, it was clear that there was a logjam in the Suns backcourt and letting go of the former LA Clippers star was the only way for their offensive playbook to work.

• Phoenix did add some players signing Tyus Jones, Monte Morris, and Mason Plumlee via free agency and acquiring E.J. Liddell in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks and that could help them here.
• While those names are not exactly world-beaters, they would provide Coach Monty Williams and the Suns enough depth on the bench – something they’ve been lacking on last season.
• It is also worth noting that the last time these two teams faced, the Suns manhandled the Clippers thanks to Devin Booker’s 37 points and Beal’s 26.
• Even more impressive is the fact that the Suns were able to cover the spread 52% of the time last season away from Phoenix.

With the Clippers missing its star player in Kawhi Leonard, backing the Suns to get the job done and cover the spread on the road seems the most sensible play at these current odds.

Final Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns NBA Prediction: Phoenix Suns -4.5 (-112)

If Kawhi Leonard was available in this game, then the Los Angeles Clippers might have a chance of beating the Phoenix Suns.

With Leonard out, however, I just don’t see the Clippers pulling off the W even if James Harden does end up with a big game. Give me the Suns to cover and win on the road.