Phoenix
+3, o/u 215
at Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
by Ultimatecapper.com Staff
The Los Angeles Clippers, those long-time losers, have a chance to inch closer to virgin territory (for them) when they host the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of this Western Conference semi-final series Friday night at the Staples Center.
These two teams split the first two games of this series back in Arizona, Phoenix winning Game 1 130-123 and L.A. taking Game 2 122-97. So the Clippers have stolen home-court advantage and have a chance to take the lead in this series with games Friday and Sunday in L.A.
The Clippers franchise, which originated in Buffalo and made a stop in San Diego before settling in L.A., has never reached a conference finals.
Phoenix is 24-20 straight up on the road this season, 25-18 against the spread, and 11-10 ats as underdogs.
Los Angeles is 30-14 straight up at home this season, 22-21 vs. the number, and 30-23 ats as favorites.
These two teams split four games during the regular season, each winning once on the other’s home court.
Phoenix won the Pacific Division title during the regular season, finishing seven games clear of the second-place Clippers.
L.A. outrebounded the Suns by an average of 15 per game during their four regular-season meetings, and that trend held true in Game 1 of this series, but not to that degree; the Clippers outboarded the Suns 41-38. But in their Game 2 romp, L.A. outrebounded Phoenix by 30!
On the season, the Clippers outboarded opponents by more than 3 per game, while the Suns got outrebounded by more than 4 per game.
The Suns, however, rely on their offensive efficiency. Phoenix shot 48% from the floor this season, 40% from 3-point range and 81% from the free-throw line.
The Clippers limited foes to just 43% field-goal shooting this season, 4th-best in the league, but allowed the Suns to shoot 55% from the field in Game 1. L.A.’s defense fared better in Game 2, holding Phoenix to a 46% FG shooting performance.
The Clippers, on the other end of the court, have hit at a 57% clip from the floor in the first two games of this series.
The o/u is 38-48 in Clippers games this season, 15-28 in L.A. home games, but 48-40 in Suns games. Both games of this series thus far have gone over the posted totals.
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The Ultimatecapper Pick: We like the Clippers to cover the 3 tonight! Good luck!
