NBA Betting Picks: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers

Added on Dec 25, 2010 by Jack Thurman in

NBA

The sports world gets back into full swing on Sunday and we’ll take a look at a NBA betting opportunity out West as the Los Angeles Clippers host the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix is in 2nd place in the Pacific Division despite a losing record at 13-15. The Clippers still don’t have a great W/L record at 8-22 but are starting to show some promise.

Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers
December 26, 2010 12:05 PM Pacific

We’ve talked about the Clippers before–they don’t have the team concept down yet but do have some very impressive young talent. Blake Griffin is the frontrunner for rookie of the year and clearly a superstar of the future. They’ve got talent to compete against teams that play lax team defense. Against teams allowing more than 99 PPG they’re 11-5 ATS, though against teams allowing *fewer* than 99 PPG they’re 4-10 ATS. Phoenix is #29 in team defense allowing 109.6 PPG and no longer have the ability to simply outscore all of their opponents. The Suns have allowed 16 of their last 18 opponents to score 100+ points and come into this game having lost 6 of 8 both SU and against the spread.

The Suns could also be in something of a letdown spot–the week before Christmas they faced several top teams including Dallas, San Antonio and OKC on the road with their last game against Miami at home. They could be thinking this is a game they can just ‘phone in’ due to the drop in competitive class from their recent foes. That’s always a dangerous mindset and against the young and athletic Clippers it could be deadly. The Suns still appear to be having continuity problems following their big trade with Orlando. LA has proven they can be competitive in the uptempo game and they’ll have a huge edge in the frontcourt which should give Blake Griffin the opportunity for a big game.

Bet Los Angeles Clippers -1 over Phoenix Suns