LA CLIPPERS @ PHOENIX (LAC -2.5, 225.5)
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CLIPPERS @ SUNS 3/4/25
When the Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Clippers tonight, it will be a matchup of two teams that are struggling at the moment. Before Monday's games, the underperforming Suns were four games out of the final Western Conference play-in spot after losing 11 of their previous 14 games. The Clippers, who have lost five of their last six games, were tied with the Golden State Warriors for the sixth-best Western record going into Monday. A guaranteed postseason berth is awarded to the top six finishers.
Los Angeles is facing the league's most disappointing team as it completes a run of eight consecutive road games, the last two of which were defeats to the Los Angeles Lakers. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are two of Phoenix's biggest stars, but they have been unable to improve the Suns’ fortunes.
Durant was furious with his team's performance after the Suns' 116-98 loss to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday dropped them five games below .500. He added that he was disappointed by Phoenix's 22 turnovers, which allowed Minnesota to score 40 points.
After an 8-1 start to the seaso, Phoenix appeared determined to be a contender. But after their impressive start, the Suns have gone just 20-32. The Suns' chances of making it to the play-in round are now stacked against them.
Despite committing four turnovers, Durant finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds against Minnesota. Booker (17 points, six turnovers) and Bradley Beal (18 points, four turnovers) were also pretty careless with the ball.
Although the Clippers lost to the Lakers by scores of 106-102 and 108-102, the second defeat's margin was deceptive. On Sunday, the Clippers never took the lead and fell behind by 21 points in the third quarter before catching up.
With season-highs of 33 points and 10 rebounds on Sunday, Kawhi Leonard was a shining example. He also played a season-high 40 minutes. The Clippers suffered a setback on Sunday when Norman Powell left the game in the first quarter due to soreness in his right hamstring. Due to what was described as a strain, he will not be playing tonight against the Suns. Powell's left knee injury had kept him out of the previoius five games. With a scoring average of 23.8, he leads Los Angeles.
This season, Phoenix has a 3-0 record against the Clippers, winning by a total of 11 points. One of the games went to overtime. Leonard didn’t play in the first two meetings. Booker had 40 points in the second.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
Game Total OVER 225.5
At opening, this total was 223.5. In early betting, it has climbed to 225.5. The Suns defense is sketchy and ranks 22nd in the league in scoring allowing 115.9 ppg. Four of the last five Suns games have gone Over the total as Phoenix allowed 124 or more points in three of them. Nine of the Suns last 10 games and 15 of their last 16 have all gone Over 225.5. Seven of the last 10 Clippers games have done the same as LA allowed 114.1 ppg in that span. Six of the last eight games between these two teams have gone Over the total with an average of 234 ppg.
Durant hit 3-plus threes in 4 of 7 games after the All-Star break. He’s gone Over this prop in 4 of his last 6 home games. The Suns and TWolves played once this season so far and in that game Durant scored 33 points on 13-of-19 shooting. He made 4 three-pointers. Minnesota is a solid defensive team, but Durant is shooting 40.1 percent from deep this season.