Every day during the NBA Playoffs, The Athletic’s NBA writers will make their picks straight up. We put our picks and all series coverage, plus the latest odds, all in one place for fans to easily digest and follow. Our in-depth coverage from every team is linked below the picks. If you’d like a free year of The Athletic (or an extension!), BetMGM is running a special offer, which also includes $100 in bonus bets.
Game 2 – Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns (-6)
Total: 224.5
| Pick | |
|---|---|
|
Ethan Strauss |
|
|
Seth Partnow |
|
|
Richard Deitsch |
|
|
Sam Vecenie |
GAME 1: Suns 120, Clippers 114
Series: Suns lead 1-0
Without Chris Paul, Devin Booker picked up the slack in Game 1 for the Suns. Booker had 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Deandre Ayton had 20 points and nine rebounds on 10-for-14 shooting.
The Clippers had a short turnaround from the Game 6 win against the Utah Jazz and went 10 deep. Paul George had 34 points and Reggie Jackson added 24, but the Clips faded down the stretch. Neither team had a double-digit lead until the Suns went on a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter.
That win, plus the chance that Chris Paul will return soon, has the Suns at -450 to win the series. They are actually behind the Milwaukee Bucks in NBA title futures. The Bucks are +110 with the Suns at +170. The Clippers are +350 to beat the Suns in this series.
NBA Playoffs picks records
| Record | |
|---|---|
|
Sam Vecenie |
49-25 |
|
Richard Deitsch |
45-29 |
|
Ethan Strauss |
44-28 |
|
Seth Partnow |
42-32 |
NBA Playoffs
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