The Phoenix Suns had a golden opportunity to clinch the NBA Western Conference title on Monday. But that did work for them, even on their home floor. And they may wind up kicking themselves about that.
The Los Angeles Clippers are still playing without Kawhi Leonard. And apparently, that will continue. But that did not matter to them in the final two games against the Utah Jazz. And it might be something they can overcome.
So here we are, with Game 6 of this series looming. It is scheduled for 9:05 PM ET at the Staples Center. And needless to say, if the Clippers can “hold serve” at home, they make this a one-off for the right to go to the Finals.
Here are the basketball playoff odds on the game, from BetAnySports:
Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers NBA Game 6 Odds
Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Suns | PK ( -110 ) | 215 ( -110 ) | -110 | |
Clipppers | PK ( -110 ) | 215 ( -110 ) | -110 | |
So how did the Clippers get to this point?
Paul George dominated the proceedings in Game 5
With his Clippers down 3-1, Paul George knew that he was going to have to handle much of the scoring burden. And the Suns knew that too. But he still could not be stopped. George took things completely over in the second half, no matter how much Phoenix tried to rough him up.
After halftime, he scored 30 points and finished with a total of 41. He had to assume an extra burden on the glass, with the absence of Ivica Zubac. And so he grabbed 13 rebounds to boot. George excelled in every phase of the game, which is why some were calling this his career-best effort.
Patrick Beverley was dogged on defense
We all know that it is very difficult to stop the Suns’ two-star guards, Devin Booker and Chris Paul. But they simply appear to be off-balance in this series when it comes to shooting the ball.
Going into Game 6, Paul is shooting 31.7%, while Booker has been 38.2% accurate. And a big factor in all of that is the presence of Patrick Beverley in the Clipper lineup.
Beverley has been misused by coach Ty Lue for the most part. That’s because he doesn’t supply a lot of offense. But what he brings to the table is a lot of defense. There are very few guards in the league who are as good at that end of the floor as Beverley. And that has been documented by the fact that he has been named to the NBA’s All-Defensive team three times.
Whoever Beverley is guarding at any given time (and it could be either Booker or Paul, among those in Phoenix’s starting lineup), they are going to feel the heat. Beverley was so in your face with Booker that he broke his nose. That’s no lie. And it is a fact that in all four games Beverley has played more than 15 minutes, the Suns have tallied 104 points or less.
Conclusion
We know that the objective on the part of Lue is to slow down that backcourt. And hope that Suns coach Monty Williams doesn’t smarten up and use DeAndre Ayton as more of a “go-to” threat. So we kind of like the idea of leaning UNDER in Game 6. And we think the Clippers will have quite a chance of forcing a “brawl for it all.”
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