Suns to Scorch Clippers in First-Round NBA Playoff Series

  • Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest game odds, series prices and props for the Suns vs Clippers matchup
  • Paul George is expected to miss the start of the first-round series with a knee injury
  • TNT will broadcast Game 1 from Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, April 16 at 8:00pm ET 

Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard will go head-to-head in the sexiest first round matchup of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Oddsmakers have instilled the No. 4 seed Suns (45-37) as heavy favorites with Paul George expected to miss at least a few games for the No. 5 seed Clippers (44-36). But, can Los Angeles make it a series against an untested Phoenix team still rounding into shape?

Before we look at the series prices and props and make our picks, check out the latest 2023 NBA Playoff Betting Odds and our guide to betting on NBA basketball.

Suns vs Clippers Series Prices

To Win SeriesBovadaBetOnline Review
L.A. Clippers+390+380
Phoenix Suns-550-470

Phoenix opens as heavy favorites

Phoenix (-470) is heavy chalk to win their first-round Western Conference battle with Los Angeles. The Pacific Division clubs split their season series 2-2, but that’s pretty much meaningless given Kevin Durant didn’t play in any of those contests. The 34-year-old only suited up in eight games for the Suns after being acquired from Brooklyn in a blockbuster deadline deal. However, Monty Williams’ squad is 8-0 with KD in the lineup.

Durant has been at peak form this year while healthy, averaging 29.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He and young guard Devin Booker give the Suns an excellent chance to advance to their second NBA Finals in three years, and win the franchise its first-ever championship.

Number of Games in Series

Number of GamesBetOnline ReviewBovada
5 Games+230+260
6 Games+250+220
7 Games+270+270
4 Games+310+300

Who’s the better team?

Oddsmakers expect this series to go five (+260) or six (+250) games. Suns-Clippers reaching a do or die Game 7 is also viewed as a possibility (+270) while a four-game sweep (+310) provides the longest odds. With Paul George missing in action, Kawhi Leonard will need to bring his ‘A’ game. ‘The Claw’ has been incredible in his first season back from an ACL tear, averaging 27.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals over his past 35 games.

Russell Westbrook will also need to be on his best behavior for Tyronn Lue’s club. The mercurial 34-year-old point guard was teammates with Durant for eight years in Oklahoma City. In the backcourt, he’ll square off against Chris Paul, who spent eight seasons running the Clippers offense.

Phoenix SunsTo Win Series
★★★★★
-470
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6Number of Games
★★★★★
+250
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 Series Correct Score

Series Correct ScoreBetOnline ReviewBovada
Phoenix Suns 4-1+240+240
Phoenix Suns 4-2+340+400
Phoenix Suns 4-0+375+325
Phoenix Suns 4-3+390+385
Los Angeles Clippers 4-2+1000+900
Los Angeles Clippers 4-3+1100+1100
Los Angeles Clippers 4-1+3300+3500
Los Angeles Clippers 4-0+5000+5000

KD vs Kawhi

While this will mark the seventh time Leonard and Durant will meet in the NBA playoffs, the two superstars have rarely been healthy when facing off. Kawhi hurt his ankle in Game 1 of the Spurs’ 2017 conference finals loss to KD’s Warriors and missed their 2018 matchup with the same injury. And then when Leonard won the championship with Toronto the next year, Durant tore his Achilles during the NBA Finals.

KD otherwise holds a 2-1 edge over Kawhi, although those meetings happened quite some time ago.

Best Bet

Durant, the 13-time All Star, is one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history while Leonard, the two-time NBA Finals MVP, provides an incredible mix of lockdown defense and clutch scoring.

Kawhi will carry his Clippers to a couple victories without PG-13, but it won’t be enough. Suns in six.  

Phoenix 4-2Series Correct Score
★★★★★
+400
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Steve Starr

Steve is the quintessential American sports enthusiast. He has mastered the art of Sundays, devoting them to football, and barbecue parties. He proudly wears the hats of a good father, husband and a great dog owner. Aside from his decades of contributing to different top-tier sports publications, Steve has also found his niche on Twitter, where he publishes funny and relatable sports-related insights. When he's not busy tweeting, Steve loves to watch each game unfold live. He possesses an innate talent for finding humor in the sports world, appreciating both the thrilling moments and the comedic mishaps that make each event unique.