Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers Prediction and Preview | Oct. 23, 2024

The Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers matchup is one of the 10 NBA games scheduled for Wednesday. These are two of the best teams in the Western Conference and would like to start their season with a win.

The two teams have faced each other 239 times in the regular season, with Phoenix holding a 138-101 lead. They met four times last season, as the Clippers took the series 3-1.

Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers game details and odds

The Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers game is scheduled for 10 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Intuit Dome. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. It will also air locally on FanDuel Sports Network - SoCal and Arizona’s Family 3TV/Arizona’s Family Sports. It can also be streamed live on NBA League Pass and FuboTV.

Moneyline: Suns (-220) vs. Clippers (+180)

Spread: Suns (-5.5) vs. Clippers (+5.5)

Total (O/U): Suns -110 (o225) vs. Clippers -110 (u225)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers preview

The Suns assembled one of the strongest teams in the summer of 2023 by trading for Bradley Beal. He along with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker seemed to form a formidable Big Three that was ready to take the league by storm. However, injuries to Booker and Beal limited their participation in the start of the season. Phoenix eventually finished the season sixth in the West with a 49-33 record.

Irrespective of their standing, the Suns were projected to be contenders in the playoffs because of their offensive prowess. Their expectations were brought crashing to the ground after being swept 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Suns looked good in the preseason with a 3-2 record. They need to carry forward that form into the regular season as well.

The Clippers are arguably one of the biggest what-if teams in recent history. They finished last season with a 51-31 record that placed them fourth in the West. They lost 4-2 in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks.

LA is never short of talent. Even last season it had Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden. It’s just that the team can’t seem to find success in the playoffs.

The Clippers failed to re-sign George in the offseason, while Leonard is sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury.

Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers predicted starting lineups

The Suns will be with Josh Okogie (hamstring), while Damion Lee (hamstring) and Grayson Allen (Achilles) are probable. Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer should start:

PG: Tyus Jones SG: Devin Booker SF: Bradley Beal PF: Kevin Durant C: Jusuf Nurkic

Phoenix’s key bench players should be Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, Mason Plumlee and Monte Morris.

The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Mo Bamba (knee). P.J. Tucker won’t play as well as he and the team decides which direction they will go after it announced Sunday that he won’t be with the Clippers anymore. LA coach Ty Lue should start:

PG: James Harden SG: Norman Powell SF: Terance Mann PF: Derrick Jones Jr. C: Ivica Zubac

The Clippers’ primary bench players could be Kevin Porter Jr., Kris Dunn, Amir Coffey and Bones Hyland.

Editor's note: These are the predicted lineups and could change based on the availability of players.

Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers betting props

James Harden’s points prop is set at 22.5. While he is projected to go under, we expect him to score more than 22.5 points. With Leonard out and the Clippers starting life in a new arena, Harden should have the green light to let the shots fly.

Kevin Durant’s point total is set at 24.5. While he has to share the offensive load with Booker and Beal, Durant can score more than 24.5 points on any given night. We project him to do so Wednesday as well.

Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers prediction

The oddsmakers favor the Suns to win this game on the road. Unlike last year, Phoenix is at full strength to start the season, while the Clippers are not. Expect this to be a high-scoring game with the team total going past 225 points. The Suns should win the game and cover the spread.