In the Western Conference Finals, the Suns are up 3-1 over the Los Angeles Clippers and one win away from the NBA Finals. When it comes to Suns vs Clippers, it’s safe to say that the Suns have been the better team so far and that the lead is deserved.
They’ve also had Devin Booker, Cam Payne, and Deandre Ayton each play arguably the best game of their young careers in those three wins. If the Valley-Oop wasn’t a coined phrase by now, we’re talking about a series tied 2-2. And if the Clippers could have done, like, anything offensively in Game 4, now that alternate reality is Los Angeles instead one win away from the finals.
Suns vs Clippers | A Closer Look
The Suns enter Game 5 now on a streak of 13 straight quarters without recording 30 points. In the 16 quarters of the second round against the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix reached that mark eight times, so this has been quite the offensive skid.
The Clippers have done a terrific job making this happen. With constant switching and solid help bogging down a lot of possessions, the Suns’ ball rotations to create open three-pointers aren’t nearly as open as they have been previously.
Chris Paul who missed the first 2 games in the series is back and in the series over two games is now 11-of-41 (26.8%) from the field. Where he saw the most success and an adjustment from the Suns was creating a clear-cut advantage again when attacking the Clippers’ Ivica Zubac. All six of his field goals on Saturday were with Zubac in the action.
After an all-time franchise playoff performance in Game 1, Booker is now 18-of-59 (30.5%) in his last three games of the series. Whether it’s the mask, Patrick Beverley, the Clippers’ scheme, or whatever else, the bottom line is that he’s off and the Suns will have to fight their tails off to get any wins when that’s the case.
With their two best players struggling it is somewhat shocking that the Suns are winning this series 3-1 currently.
Not having Kawhi Leonard may be the reason for this. Out of the possible 768 minutes in the postseason, Paul George has played 652 of them. Out of the possible 576 minutes in the last 23 days, George has played 495 of them. It’s not a surprise to see him being unable to hit anything. It’s just not sustainable.
Suns vs Clippers Prediction:
Suns: 99
Clippers: 87
I fully intend on playing some Deandre Ayton props given his usage in this series, but I’m turning to the spread for this game. Given the stakes and the way the Suns have played, I think this is the end of the road for the Clippers, and the Suns will await the winner of Bucks vs Hawks in the Finals.
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