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Clippers vs. Suns: First-round scouting report, prediction

April 15, 2023

SERIES SCHEDULE

(best-of-seven, all times PT)

Game 1: Sunday at Phoenix, 5 p.m. (TNT/Bally Sports SoCal)

Game 2: Tuesday at Phoenix, 7 p.m. (TNT/Bally Sports SoCal)

Game 3: Thursday at Clippers, 7:30 p.m. (NBA/Bally Sports SoCal)

Game 4: Saturday at Clippers, 12:30 p.m. (TNT/Bally Sports SoCal)

*Game 5: April 25 at Phoenix, time TBD (TV TBD)

*Game 6: April 27 at Clippers, time TBD (TV TBD)

*Game 7: April 29 at Phoenix, time TBD (TV TBD)

*If necessary

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Clippers and Suns split the regular-season series, 2-2

Oct. 23: Suns 112, Clippers 95, at Crypto.com Arena

Dec. 15: Suns 111, Clippers 95, at Crypto.com Arena

Feb. 16: Clippers 116, Suns 107, in Phoenix

April 9: Clippers 119, Suns 114, in Phoenix

TALE OF THE TAPE

Clippers (regular-season rank) … category … Suns (regular-season rank)

44-38 … Season Record … 45-37

113.6 (17th, tied) … PPG … 113.6 (17th, tied)

113.1 (12th) … Opp. PPG … 111.6 (6th)

47.7 (13th) … FG Pct. … 46.7 (23rd)

38.1 (3rd) … 3pt Pct. … 37.4 (7th)

78.1 (18th) … FT Pct. … 79.3 (10th)

43.2 (17th) … Rebounds … 44.2 (11th)

23.9 (24th) … Assists … 27.3 (4th)

7.1 (15th, tied) … Steals … 7.1 (15th, tied)

4.4 (21st) … Blocked Shots … 5.3 (5th)

13.5 (17th) … Turnovers … 12.9 (11th, tied)

STARTING BACKCOURT

Eight-time All-Star Paul George (sprained knee) is expected to be out for this series, leaving the fifth-seeded Clippers with a huge void in the backcourt. But they have nine-time All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, who has proven to be efficient with the Clippers and if he can continue to play within his game (i.e., not try to do too much), he could pose problems for the Suns with his attack to the basket. The Clippers have made 50.9% of their field goal attempts with Westbrook on the court, and they will use Eric Gordon to space the floor with his 3-point shooting. … Fourth-seeded Phoenix has far too much talent in its backcourt to be worried. Devin Booker, when healthy, has enjoyed a career year, averaging 27.8 points. Future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, who memorably scored 41 points in Game 6 of the 2021 Western Conference finals to eliminate his old team, is shooting 44% from the field and averaging 13.9 points and 8.9 assists in 32 minutes per game. EDGE: SUNS

STARTING FRONTCOURT

Kawhi Leonard will be in his well-known playoff mode, but it might not be enough to offset the Suns’ Kevin Durant, who came to Phoenix in a February trade with Brooklyn. With Durant in the lineup, those two teams have lost only once in 22 games. The Suns are unbeaten in eight games with a healthy Durant. With George out with a sprained knee, Leonard has upped his game, posting 40, 25, 27 and 25 points in his past four games but he will also be expected to defend Durant. That could be a tough, draining assignment. Veteran forward Nicolas Batum (39.% from 3-point range) has stepped in admirably for Marcus Morris Sr., who has been out with back spasms. … Suns center Deandre Ayton is the team’s third-leading scorer at 18 ppg and is pulling down an average of 10 rebounds. Clippers center Ivica Zubac averages 10.8 ppg and 9.9 rpg. EDGE: EVEN

BENCHES

The Suns traded most of their key role players to bring Durant to Phoenix, leaving their bench light on talent. The Clippers, meanwhile, have a corps of two-way wing players who can shoot from outside and space the floor. Finding the right combination has been a problem this season, especially when going small. Still, the Clippers have several players, such as Norman Powell, Bones Hyland and Terance Mann who Lue can use to adjust to opponents and exploit their weaknesses. EDGE: CLIPPERS

COACHES

In three seasons with Cleveland, Tyronn Lue led the Cavaliers to three consecutive NBA Finals, winning the 2016 title. In his first season with the Clippers, he guided them to the conference finals, rubber-stamping him as one of the league’s best coaches. Last season, without Leonard, the Clippers lost a pair of play-in tournament games (they were also without George for the second one). … Phoenix coach Monty Williams led the Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals and was named the 2022 NBA Coach of the Year after guiding them to a league-best 64-18 record before they lost in the second round of the playoffs. EDGE: CLIPPERS

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INTANGIBLES

It remains to be seen how George’s absence will affect the Clippers’ chances of advancing. The All-Star wing is coming off a sprained knee and is expected to be back should the team reach the second round. The Clippers’ deep bench will be counted on to pick up the slack. Westbrook could be the X-factor the Clippers need. … Williams is faced with putting together a rotation with few pieces who are not named Durant, Booker or Paul, but that threesome is considered a threat to anyone’s title hopes. EDGE: SUNS

SERIES PREDICTION

Although both rosters have undergone significant changes since the 2021 conference finals, the Clippers would love nothing more to avenge that outcome. Any team facing the Suns would surely rather meet them now, when they are still trying to develop chemistry with Durant, as opposed to later in the postseason when they could find their stride. Even with Leonard’s reputation for elevating his teams in the postseason, George’s absence cannot be discounted. The rest of the team faces a heavy lift against the star-studded Suns. SUNS IN FIVE

Orange County Register

News Details

Clippers vs. Suns: First-round scouting report, prediction

SERIES SCHEDULE

HEAD-TO-HEAD

TALE OF THE TAPE

STARTING BACKCOURT

STARTING FRONTCOURT

BENCHES

COACHES

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