Clippers vs Suns Game 2 | Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out

Los Angeles Clippers were without superstar Kawhi Leonard in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, and the Phoenix Suns were without superstar Chris Paul. Neither is expected to play in Game 2 in Phoenix on Tuesday (Leonard for sure will not). The Suns are solid favorites on the NBA odds.

How to Bet Clippers at Suns NBA Odds & TV Info

When: Tuesday, 9 PM ET
Where: Phoenix Suns Arena
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN app
Radio:com

Why Bet on Los Angeles?

is the Clippers’ first-ever trip to the Western Conference finals. After upsetting the top-seeded Jazz in the semifinal round, the Clippers saw their four-game winning streak end in Game 1 of this series Sunday, 120-114 in Phoenix.

Kawhi Leonard, who missed the final two games of the Jazz series with a knee injury, was out Sunday again and didn’t even travel to Phoenix so it’s hard to see how Leonard plays here. Paul George has to largely carry the load with Kawhi out and hit 10-of-26 shots, including seven 3-pointers, for 34 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in 39 minutes of Sunday’s loss.

has now scored at least 27 points in six straight games and at least 30 in four of his last five. He had 15 points in the third quarter Sunday but may have run out of gas in the fourth. Rajon Rondo and Terance Mann led the Clippers to an 8-0 late run but Rondo’s turnover that resulted in a Mikal Bridges steal hurt the Clippers with the game on the line.

Jackson chipped in 24 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jackson has been in the starting lineup since Game 3 against the Mavs in Round 1, but he’s taken on more responsibility since the Clippers lost Leonard. Over the last three games, Jackson has played 37, 38 and 39 minutes, respectively, while tallying at least 22 points in all three.

Marcus Morris was terrible in the loss, going 3-for-11 and 0-for-5 from deep for just six points. Morris is dealing with a sore left knee and was unable to start the second half, replaced by Ivica Zubac. Morris is listed as questionable for Game 2.

Terance Mann has been starting for Leonard but was held to nine points in Game 1, taking just four field goals and failing to get to the free-throw line in 27 minutes. DeMarcus Cousins was the only other Clipper in double figures with 11 points and four boards off the bench.

The Clippers looked very tired at times, and in order to give his main workhorses a break, Coach Ty Lue dug deep into his bench, giving 10 players minutes. LA fell behind in these bench minutes in the fourth quarter (Rondo was a team low -14) and the starters could not dig the team out of the hole.

“No excuses,” Jackson said postgame. “A little tired but playing every other day, you’ve got to play the cards that we’re dealt. So it’s going to be an every-other-day series. We’re built for it. We’re not going to make excuses. We’re going to find a way.”

Why Bet on Phoenix?

Suns point guard Chris Paul, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, has been symptom-free since registering that positive test. Paul has been vaccinated against the coronavirus, and that he’s symptom-free should further expedite his return. However, he’ll still need to record multiple negative tests before he receives clearance to rejoin the team. Thus, Game 2 is probably unlikely.

“It’s just a day-to-day thing with him right now,” coach Monty Williams said after Game 1. “I probably drive the people here crazy with that, but that’s the way it is. We’re hopeful that any day now we hear he can ramp up and get back with us. But right now, he’s in the protocol.”

Devin Booker was terrific in Game 1 with 40 points, a career-high 13 rebounds and 11 assists for the first triple-double of his career. Booker scored 18 points in the third quarter, stayed hot in the fourth quarter scored 16 straight points for the Suns during one stretch. Booker scored or assisted on 43 of Phoenix’s final 50 points. That included every point during the critical stretch of the game, a tiebreaking 8-0 run early in the fourth quarter. Booker grabbed the defensive rebound before three of those Suns buckets, too. Phoenix

Booker was the 5th player over the last 60 seasons to record his 1st career triple-double in the conference finals or later, joining Hall of Famer’s James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry Lucas and Bill Russell. It was the Suns’ first playoff triple-double since Steve Nash accomplished the feat in 2005. Booker is the sixth player in NBA history to record multiple 40-point games in his first career postseason, joining Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Bob McAdoo, Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain.

All five Suns starters finished with double-figure points. Deandre Ayton had 20 points and nine rebounds. Ayton’s 10 made field goals were his most since Game 3 against the Lakers in Round 1, and he narrowly missed what would have been his fourth double-double in the last five games.

Cameron Payne started for Paul and had 11 points and nine assists, finishing as a plus-14 in his 29 minutes of action. When Paul is available, Payne typically plays 15-to-20 minutes off the bench.

The Suns are rolling, winning eight straight playoff games and they’re 9-2 during this playoff run.

Game Trends

Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Clippers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
Suns are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 Tuesday games.
Suns are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.