Suns vs Clippers Predictions, Spread, Odds & Props for Game 3

• Phoenix is a 2.5-point road favorite in the Suns vs Clippers odds for Game 3 of their opening-round playoff series
• Chris Paul (hand) is questionable for the Suns, while the Clippers will be without Paul George (knee)
• Don’t miss the latest Suns vs Clippers Game 3 picks, plus injury news, betting splits and prop bets to target

The 4 vs 5 playoff series is usually expected to be the most competitive matchup of the opening round of the postseason. So far, the Suns and Clippers haven’t disappointed.

The two squads split the first two games in Phoenix, with LA stealing Game 1, before the Suns bounced back in Game 2.

Online sportsbooks expect another Phoenix victory in Game 3, as they’ve pegged the Suns as the road chalk in the NBA odds.

Suns vs Clippers Game 3 Odds

Phoenix is currently favored by 2.5 points, in a contest with a total of 227. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 pm ET at the crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, with NBA TV providing the broadcast coverage.

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Odds as of April 19 at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Phoenix vs Los Angeles Injury Report

On the injury front, both teams are dealing with ailing stars. The Suns Chris Paul is currently listed as questionable, after suffering a right hand injury in Game 2.

The injury didn’t limit the veteran point guard’s minutes, but it was serious enough to warrant x-rays following the contest. Those came back negative, but Paul was limited to some light shooting in practice on Wednesday.

Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul received an X-ray on his right hand following the Game 2 victory and results came back clean, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 19, 2023

He’s currently questionable for Game 3, although head coach Monty Williams hinted that he expects his point guard to be ok.

The verdict on backup guard Cam Payne is a little more murky. Payne is dealing with a back injury and has yet to suit up for a game in this series. The team is currently listing him as questionable as well, but Williams had no update on his condition.

As for LA, they’ll be without star forward Paul George again. PG-13 hasn’t played since March 21st, and is expected to miss the entire opening round of the playoffs.

Suns vs Clippers Betting Splits

George’s injury is one of the reasons why Phoenix is still a sizeable favorite to advance in the NBA playoff bracket, and also why the public is hammering the Suns ahead of Game 3. The Suns are currently drawing 61% of the spread wagers, and 76% of the ATS handle.

Total wise, there’s a heavy divide between the public and big money bettors. 62% of the over/under tickets are on over 227, but those wagers represent only 23% of all money wagered on the total. The under is garnering 77% of the handle, off of just 38% of the tickets, meaning those who bet biggest are expecting a low scoring game.

Phoenix vs Los Angeles Game 3 Betting Trends

LA has plenty of experience playing without PG-13 this season, as he’s missed 28 games. The team is 13-15 over those outings, including 2-2 against the Suns.

Kawhi Leonard has carried the Clippers offense so far without his running mate, averaging 34.5 points per game. He’s back to living up to his nickname “Playoff Kawhi”, scoring at an impressive rate despite spending plenty of time guarding Kevin Durant at the other end.

Suns vs Clippers Series Odds

Speaking of KD, he’s averaging 26 points, 8 assists and 7.5 rebounds through two games. Phoenix is 9-1 in the 10 games he’s played with the team since being acquired from Brooklyn, and the duo of him and Booker have been clutch versus the Clippers.

Booker poured in 38 points in the Game 2 win, scoring 18 in the third quarter to help the Suns erase a double-digit lead. The 26-year-old is shooting 59% from the field in the series, and 40% from three.

Despite the offensive talent on both teams, Phoenix and LA’s matchups have underwhelmed in the boxscore this season. Four of the six meetings have fallen below 227 points, with each team winning three times.

Suns vs Clippers Predictions and Props

One trend that points to another low scoring game is Phoenix’s propensity for slow starts. They’re averaging just 21 points in the first quarter, something that can be attributed to LA’s constantly changing defensive schemes.

Several of the Suns players have credited the Clippers for their unpredictable sets, as Tye Lue knows his team likely isn’t strong to win a shootout versus Phoenix, especially without George.

Durant vs Leonard H2H Points

As for the player props market, consider backing Leonard as a 2.5-point favorite over Durant in the points department. Leonard is LA’s number one option every trip down the court, and the Suns have had no answer for his offense.

Durant on the other hand, not only has to share the offensive spotlight with Booker, but has to deal with Kawhi’s defense. Leonard has a long history of clamping down on the league’s top stars, and is one of the few players in the league who can disrupt KD’s game.

Picks: Under 227 (-110), Leonard -2.5 (-110) over Durant