Through two games of the Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Clippers have done everything right except for close out the games. If Paul George sank his throws in the closing seconds, the Phoenix Suns miraculous out of bounds play to DeAndre Ayton never would’ve occurred. Be that as it may, George failed to convert from the charity stripe and Ayton’s flush with less than a second remaining allowed for the Suns to take a commanding 2-0 series lead with them to Tinseltown where the teams will collide for Game 3. As hotly contested the first two matchups have been, it comes with little surprise to see online sportsbooks lining this game a near pick ‘em. Having already faced 0-2 deficits in the prior two rounds, LA should feel right at home and be more than ready for the challenge that awaits them. Only those times, they had Kawhi Leonard on the floor. That won’t be the case this time around.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers will tip-off on Thursday, June 24, 2021 from the Staples center. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET. We'll have odds and player props available at BookMaker.eu for this and every game remaining in the NBA Playoffs.
NBA Betting Lines at BookMaker.eu
Phoenix Suns -1
Los Angeles Clippers +1
O/U OTB
Odds Analysis
Clippers backers suffered a bothersome defeat in Game 1 when they failed to cover the closing 4-point NBA odds even though they held a 1-point lead with just under a minute remaining. Those that stayed the course were rewarded with a pointspread cover in Game 2 after LA fell 104-103 as 4.5-point underdogs. The pointspread split halted Phoenix’s playoff cover streak at eight straight. The Clippers moved to 5-1 ATS its last six playoff games after losing but sticking within the number. The O/U has split through the first two games as well with the over 220 cashing in Game 1 and the under 222.5 doing the same on Tuesday night. Phoenix invades Tinseltown 3-2 SU and ATS in its five overall played matchups against the Clippers.
Phoenix Suns
After going for a game-high 40 points in the Game 1 triumph, Devin Booker only managed 20 on 5 of 16 shooting in the rematch. While an exit from the game to tend to his busted up nose played a role, LA did a much better job defending him in the second go round. Thankfully, someone else was able to step up and pick up the slack. That someone turned out to be none other than Cameron Payne who continues to make a name for himself throughout the postseason. The former Murry State Racer led all scorers with 29 points by hitting 50 percent of his 24 attempted shots and for good measure dished off nine dimes. He’s tallied 18 overall assists in the two games Chris Paul has been forced to miss due to COVID restrictions.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have had no issue sticking close to the Suns through the first two games. As a team, they shot 45 percent in Game 1 and converted 20 of 47 shots from beyond the arc. In Game 2, the offense once again shot 45 percent from the field but only managed to drain 13 of 34 shots from downtown 38%. Reggie Jackson was one of the main catalysts as to why LA wasn’t run off the floor in the first two games. He went for 24 points in the series opener and followed it up with another 19 points on 7 of 15 shooting in Game 2 to help put LA in a position to steal the game and head home with the series tied at a game apiece. With Leonard still likely to be unavailable, he’s going to need to rise up once again on Thursday for the Clippers to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole.
Phoenix vs. Los Angeles Prediction
Can the Clippers battle back from an 0-2 deficit and win a series for the third straight time? That’s the question every NBA bettor will attempt to answer when these teams lock horns in Game 3 Thursday night. After watching the first two games in their entirety, I believe they can; even with Leonard still rooting from the sideline. It will ultimately all come down to finishing. Los Angeles has been right there at the tail end of both games, but failed to execute at the most inopportune of times. With the series now shifted to the comforts of the Staples Center, I can’t help but think they’ll succeed this time around with their homebased fans cheering them on. So long as it continues to compete with the Suns on the glass and does a better job taking advantage of its opportunities at the free throw line, Los Angeles should win this game and make it a series once again.
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