NBA Picks: Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Monday, 12/30/13, 10:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -7.5
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -7.5
Opening Total: 210.5
Current Total: 210.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Los Angeles Clippers lead the NBA in scoring at home this season

Phoenix has won four of its last five games, including a 115-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers as 10.5-point home favorites last Saturday, while pushing up against the betting total of 216. The Suns are 7-7 SU on the road this season, including a 5-6 mark versus Western Conference opponents, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks. The team has won 15 of the last 20 games in this series, but dropped three of four tilts during the 2013-14 campaign. Phoenix is 3-1 SUATS when the total is 210 or higher this season, with the UNDER going 3-0-1 in that situation.

The Suns have won nine of their last 11 games and are averaging 107.6 points and 10.3 three-point makes over that stretch, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. Phoenix paces the league in averaging 19.1 fast break points per game, with the Oklahoma City Thunder falling behind them in that all-important category. Of the squad’s 11 losses this season—only three defeats have come by a double-digit margin.

Los Angeles had its two-game losing streak snapped last time out, as it picked up a 98-90 victory over the Utah Jazz as 14.5-point home favorites last Saturday, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in four contests. The Clippers are 13-2 SU at the Staples Center this season, including a 10-1 mark versus Western Conference foes. Three probable starters are averaging in double figures offensively, with forward Blake Griffin leading the way in scoring 21.9 points a contest. Los Angeles is 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS as home favorites of 6.5 to 9 points this season.

The Clippers lead the NBA in points per game in home games, as they average 111.0 in that situation. After coming off the bench for the first 100 games of his career as a member of Los Angeles, guard Jamal Crawford was inserted into the starting lineup on Dec. 14. The team has won six of eight games since he moved off the bench, with him averaging 19.1 points per game.