Clippers vs. Suns Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NBA Playoffs Game 3 (LA Pulls Off an Upset at Crypto.com Arena)

The 2022-23 NBA Playoffs continue on Thursday with Game 3 of the first round series between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers.

Clippers vs. Suns Game Info

• Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023
• Time: 10:30 PM ET
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena -- Los Angeles, California
• Coverage: NBA TV, BSSC, and BSAZ

Each of the first two games of this series featured one team pulling away in the fourth quarter. The Clippers pulled off an upset with a 115-110 victory in Game 1 thanks to Kawhi Leonard's 38 points, but Phoenix evened the series with a 123-109 Game 2 win behind Devin Booker's outing (38 points).

Clippers vs. Suns Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: LAC: (+118) | PHO: (-142)
• Spread: LAC: +2.5 (-110) | PHO: -2.5 (-110)
• Total: 228 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Suns enter this contest as slight road favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 10:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 228 points, with each side available at -110 odds.

Suns vs Clippers Betting Information

Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Suns	-2.5	-110	-110	-	-	-	-138	118

Clippers vs. Suns Betting Trends

• The Suns have covered the spread 40 times over 80 games with a set spread.
• This season, the Clippers have an ATS record of 9-13 in their 22 games as an underdog of 2.5 points or more.
• Games involving the Suns have hit the over 40 times this season.
• Clippers games this season have hit the over 48.8% of the time (39 out of 80 games with a set point total).
• Phoenix has covered the spread in the same percentage of games at home as road games (50%). It has covered 20 times in 40 games when playing at home and 20 times in 40 games when playing on the road.
• This season, Los Angeles is 19-21-0 at home against the spread (.475 winning percentage). Away, it is 21-19-0 ATS (.525).

Clippers vs. Suns Prediction & Pick

If anything was made clear through the first two games, it is that the Clippers and Suns are evenly matched squads. That was evident before they even stepped on the court, though, considering they each roster players with playoff experience (Leonard, Booker, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, etc.).

This series now shifts to Crypto.com Arena in LA, where the Clippers have won 15 of their last 18 games against the Suns. Keep in mind LA's defense steps up when on its home court, too, as it ranks 11th in points allowed per game (110.6) and logs only 19.1 personal fouls per contest (No. 11 in NBA).

Only one team left in the Western Conference Playoffs owns a worse road record than Phoenix's 17-24 mark (Memphis Grizzlies). The Suns were able to come out on top in Game 2 because of their shooting (58.8% from the floor), but they rank No. 18 in shooting percentage in away games (46.6%).

Final Score Prediction: Clippers: 118 | Suns: 113

Clippers vs. Suns Best Bet

This best bet comes down to trusting the trends. The total has hit the over in each of the Clippers' last five home games as well as in eight of the Suns' last nine away games. The over has also cashed in five of LA's last six games overall and in four of Phoenix's last five games overall. That is no joke.

Earning a 2-1 series leads is obviously crucial, so look for Leonard to keep scoring at will and Booker to keep lighting it up from mid-range. After all, each player is averaging at least 21.3 points per game in their playoff careers and can get blazing hot at any moment. Back the offenses to get the job done.

Bet: Over 228 Total Points (-110)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.