LA Clippers (38-19) at Phoenix (24-34)
When: Wednesday, February 26th, 2020
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena,
Phoenix, Arizona
Time: 9:05 ET | TV: FS Arizona
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -5.5/233
The Los Angeles Clippers are slipping down the Western Conference standings and hope to start righting the ship soon or they will find themselves outside the top four come playoff time. The Clippers will begin a tough stretch of games Wednesday night when they visit the Phoenix Suns as 5.5-point favorites. L.A. is currently the No. 3 seed but are just two games from dropping to fifth and their next six games include Denver, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Houston, and the L.A. Lakers. The Clippers had dropped four of five including three in a row before a 124-97 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday thanks to a strong effort from the bench. The young Suns are fighting to get into the top eight in the standings and are currently 12th, 4.5 games behind the Grizzlies after an impressive 131-111 road win at the Utah Jazz on Monday. The Clippers are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings including a 120-99 home win back on Dec. 17. The Suns however, were 130-122 winners at home as 10-point underdogs in the first meeting back in October.
The Clippers bench outscored the starters 67-57 on Monday with Montrezl Harrell leading the way with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting in just 19:35 of action. Landry Shamet and JaMychal Green each chipped in 13 points and it was only Green’s second double-digit effort in a month. Forward Paul George returned from a hamstring injury on Monday to score seven points in 21 minutes and is averaging 21.3 on the season – on track for his lowest since the 2012-13 season with Indiana. Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points in Monday’s win and has recorded 20 or more points in 16 of the past 17 games. The Clippers will host Denver on Friday.
Devin Booker led the way with 24 points in the upset win over Utah and has recorded 20 or more points seven of the past eight games. Point guard Ricky Rubio hasn’t had the season Phoenix had anticipated, but shined versus his old team on Monday with 22 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and a season-best seven steals. The Suns have a better road record (13-16) than home (11-17) and are just 11-17 against the spread at Talking Stick Resort Arena this season. This is the first of a long six-game homestand for the Suns, who will host the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
The Clippers struggle too much away from home and the Suns are on a bit of a roll right now. Phoenix is coming off an impressive win and I’ll take the points in this one.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Wednesday. He is 65-51-3 on the season after a 6-0 run!
Pick: Suns +5.5
Clippers are 27-13 ATS in their last 40 games as a road favorite.
Clippers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Clippers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Clippers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Suns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Suns are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Suns are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
Suns are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 home games.
Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Suns are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Suns are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Suns are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Suns are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games.
Under is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-2-1 in Clippers last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 6-2 in Clippers last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Over is 10-4-1 in Clippers last 15 games following a ATS win.
Under is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 games as a favorite.
Under is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 Wednesday games.
Under is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-1 in Suns last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Suns last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Suns last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Suns last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Suns last 5 Wednesday games.
Under is 8-2 in Suns last 10 home games.
Over is 8-3 in Suns last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 18-8 in Suns last 26 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Clippers are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Phoenix.
