Suns vs Clippers Preview: Suns Stellar With No Rest, But Can the Clippers Destroy Them From Deep Again?

Tonight’s NBA schedule features multiple must-see matchups, headlined by an important Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers tilt in L.A. There’s a heated battle going on for NBA playoff seeding, and this mouthwatering matchup features the West’s #2 and #3 teams.

The Suns are seeking two huge wins in two nights after downing the Utah Jazz in overtime. Devin Booker (35) and Chris Paul (29) combined for 64 points as the Suns pulled within 1.5 games of the West-leading Jazz. The Clippers, meanwhile, are looking to tighten the three-game gap between themselves and the Suns.

Phoenix Suns (36-14) vs Los Angeles Clippers (34-18), TNT, 10:00 pm ET

Sizzling Suns Dominant in Back-to-Backs

NBA futures odds still don’t love the Suns (+3600 to win the NBA title, +1400 to win the West). But the Suns don’t look like slowing down soon.

Last night’s thrilling win was their seventh straight, and they are 28-6 SU and 25-9 ATS over their last 34 games. Now they hit the road, where they are 13-2 SU and 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games.

Playing two top teams on consecutive nights is tough, but the Suns have thrived in back-to-back situations all season long. They are 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS overall in this spot. On the road, they are 4-1 SU and ATS with no rest.

The numbers heavily favor the Suns covering tonight, and our consensus NBA picks unanimously back that outcome as well.

Clippers’ Outside Shooting Will Be Decisive Again

This is the second meeting of the season between these two teams. The key to this one will be the same one that was decisive in the first meeting.

Strength meets strength in this matchup. The Suns are third in the NBA in three-point defense and the Clippers boasting the league’s best perimeter percentage. Phoenix’s opponents have hit only 34.4 percent of their threes, while the Clippers are the only team in the NBA shooting above 40 percent from three, coming in at a blistering 41.5 percent.

In the first meeting on January 3, the Clippers won the battle on the stat sheet and on the scoreboard. They hit 17 of 29 threes, with Paul George hitting 7 of 10 in a 39-point performance in a 112-107 win in Phoenix. The Clippers needed every single three, as Kawhi Leonard was only 4 of 21 that night.

No other team has had a better three-point percentage against Phoenix this season than the Clippers’ 58.6 percent that night. In fact, only three times this season has a Suns opponent hit 50 percent or more from deep. Additionally, they have really tightened up since allowing a season-high 20 threes to the Nets (in 40 attempts). In their last 23 games, the Suns have allowed only four teams to hit 40 percent or better from three. That includes only two of their 11 road games in that stretch.

If the Suns can limit one of the Clippers’ dynamic duo again and then defend the three better, tonight could be another winning night for the Suns and Suns bettors.

Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Other Top NBA Games for April 8

Suns vs Clippers is the best game on today’s NBA schedule, but there are eight more games on tonight’s schedule, and we have detailed betting information, odds, and picks for each game. Make sure to check all of them out, but these are today’s other top games.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat Picks, Odds, Stats and More: The Heat (26-25 SU, 22-28-1 ATS) have won four of five. The Lakers (32-19 SU, 24-27 ATS) are steadying the ship without their stars, having won four of six.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Dallas Mavericks Picks, Odds, Stats and More: The Bucks (32-18 SU, 22-28 ATS) visit Luka Doncic and the Mavs (28-22 SU, 25-25 ATS). Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has missed Milwaukee’s last two games, is listed as doubtful.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Utah Jazz Picks, Odds, Stats and More: The Jazz (38-13 SU, 31-20 ATS) look to rebound against the Blazers (30-20 SU, 26-24 ATS). Utah will be trying to avoid losing three straight for the first time this season.