- Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul will not play in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
- Phoenix won Game 1 of the series behind Devin Booker’s 40-point triple double.
- Phoenix has -190 odds to win Game 2, and -500 odds to win the series.
PHOENIX - Chris Paul and Kawhi Leonard will remain sidelined for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Suns took Game 1 of the series, leading Clippers star Paul George to remark that the Suns were a “different caliber team than the other two teams we faced.”
George praised the guard play of the Suns, which in Game 1 was delivered by Devin Booker and Cameron Payne.
Booker was electric in Game 1, putting up a 40-point triple double, which made him only the fourth player to do so in the history of the conference finals.
The Suns remain at home for Game 2, and remain the favorites on the online sportsbooks.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Game 2 Moneyline
- Los Angeles Clippers +165
- Phoenix Suns -190
The Suns’ moneyline odds are approaching 2:1, demonstrating the degree to which they seem to be favored on a game to game basis.
Game 1 wasn’t a blowout - the Clippers managed to keep it close, and were within one possession near the end of the game before a blown defensive assignment allowed Devin Booker to put the game away with a dunk.
The Clippers have the ability to adjust well - they’re the first team ever to come back from down 2-0 twice in the same playoff run. However, it’s unclear if they’ll be able to adjust to the Suns quite yet - and the impending return of Paul makes that even more unclear.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Spread
- Los Angeles Clippers +5.0 (-110)
- Phoenix Suns -5.0 (-110)
The spread for this game opened around Suns -6.0, and has moved a bit towards the Clippers in the time it has been available for online gamblers to bet on.
The Suns have an overall home record of 28-14 against the spread through the regular season and playoffs. The Clippers, meanwhile, are 22-20-1 against the spread on the road up to this point in the postseason.
The Suns are on quite the hot streak against the spread - they’re 8-0 ATS in their last eight games.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns Series Odds
- Los Angeles Clippers +350
- Phoenix Suns -500
The later this series goes with neither Leonard nor Paul returning, the more likely it is that the Suns take it.
Why? Because Paul has a timetable for return - the latest he’s likely to be out is Game 4, if that.
Leonard, on the other hand, has been held in reserve with very few details revealed to the public on what his injury is. This could cut both ways - it could mean Leonard plays sooner than Paul, it could mean Leonard plays later than Paul, or it could mean he doesn’t play at all.
The longer he stays out, the more it looks like Paul will be back before him, and the Clippers will be in big trouble against a fully loaded Suns team if that happens.