Hungry for another trip to the NBA Finals, the Phoenix Suns went all-in to acquire Kevin Durant. Phoenix is hoping the move pays off starting now, as the Suns take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the opening round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. 

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The Suns are a modest No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, but they’ve yet to lose a game with Durant in the lineup. The fifth-seeded Clippers won three straight to secure their spot and stay out of the play-in rounds, but may have to slog through this round without star Paul George (knee), who is out for Game 1 and questionable after that. 

Ahead of Game 1, Bookies.com breaks down the series and makes our NBA picks to back on betting apps.

Suns vs. Clippers Game 1 Odds

Suns vs. Clippers Betting Tips

Perfect Lineup: Kevin Durant has played just eight games so far with the Suns. But all eight games featured a healthy Suns lineup, and the Suns won all of those games. All but two of them were won by seven-plus points with an average margin of 11. 

Under Hollywood Lights: The Suns and Clippers each averaged exactly 113.6 ppg on the year. When it comes to splits, however, points have been tough to come by at Crypto.com Arena. The Under was 27-14 (65.8%) in Clippers home games. As a home dog, as L.A. might be in this series, the Under was 2-8 (20%). 

Helping Hand: Devin Booker averaged 28.5 ppg in the eight games sharing the court with Durant (who averaged 26 ppg). That was just above his 27.8 ppg season average. His assist numbers, however, got a nice boost from 5.5 overall to 6.9 with Durant on the court. Conversely, teammate Chris Paul has scored over 13 points just once in the last four matchups with Russell Westbrook. 

Suns vs. Clippers Picks

The Suns are a hefty -600 on sports betting apps to win this first-round series, while the Clippers are a big dog at +400. That’s a sizeable difference in a 4 vs. 5 seed matchup. 

But there is good reason for it. While the Suns are 8-0 with Durant in the lineup, the Clippers are a modest 5-3 when Leonard and Westbrook team up with George out. He could return for the series, but by then will it be too late? 

Probably, but I expect the Clippers to put up a real fight and give Phoenix all it can handle. Suns to Win is a little too pricey, but Suns in 6 at +400 and/or Suns in 7 at +390 offer value. 

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Suns vs. Clippers Schedule

Game 1: Los Angeles at Phoenix, TBD

Game 2: Los Angeles at Phoenix, TBD

Game 3: Phoenix at Los Angeles, TBD

Game 4: Phoenix at Los Angeles, TBD

*Game 5: Los Angeles at Phoenix, TBD

*Game 6: Phoenix at Los Angeles, TBD

*Game 7: Los Angeles at Phoenix, TBD

*-if necessary