NBA 2021/22 on Wednesday, 16.02.2021
In the NBA, the transfer window has finally closed and besides those who, like James Harden, have managed to push through their stubbornness, there are also teams who, from their point of view, have also been able to pull off satisfactory trades.
Among them are undoubtedly the Phoenix Suns, who will now put their expanded arsenal to use in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers. No wonder that I trust the home side again in my Suns Clippers betting tips.
The Suns are unstoppable at the moment! With the Nets out of the running as the narrowest favourites to win it all, it’s now the Arizonans that I see ahead of the rest of the competition on my note.
Incidentally, this also has to do with some perfectly threaded transfer decisions, which were threaded on Thursday just before the trade deadline closed and have already convinced on the floor since then.
Phoenix has won nine of its last ten NBA games, including a 131-107 drubbing of the defending champions, the Bucks, last Friday. Right after that, the two aforementioned newcomers already joined the team.
The new additions are exactly the two selective additions that an already complete team like Phoenix still needed in order to be even more dominant in the future than it already was.
With a 4th wing and a 3rd or 4th point guard, the last small gaps in the game of the Black and Violets were filled – by Torrey Craig and Aaron Holiday, who both celebrated an excellent debut right away.
Because in the Suns’ last game so far against the Orlando Magic, it was these two players, of all people, who provided additional firepower off the bench in crunch time! No wonder the Arizonans didn’t let anything go to waste in their 132-105 win this time either.
In short: The Suns are a complete team that was already riding a huge wave of success – but will be even more dominant from now on. Especially in their home arena, where the Black and Purples are now unbeaten in seven NBA games.
But before I get carried away with praise for the home side, what can we expect from the Californians? For their part, the usually strong Clippers have a surprisingly negative record of (28-30).
The reason for this is the persistent injury misfortune that strikes again and again – no matter what Lob City does. LA brought in a promising player just before the trade deadline to compensate for the absences – and now he is injured as well.
One thing at a time: The Clippers have been without their absolute superstar Kawhi Leonard since the beginning of the season. Their most important player, Paul George, on the other hand, has been out of action since 22 December and his comeback is also not in sight.
To counteract this a bit, Norman Powell and Robert Covington were recently brought in! But Powell has just picked up a left foot injury that will force him to the sidelines until the end of the season.
Under these circumstances, it is no coincidence that Lob City has lost three of its last four NBA games. Add to that the fact that the Suns were off last night, while LA had to play an energy-sapping duel against the Warriors.
Both teams faced each other at the Footprint Center almost a month ago – and also then it was the Suns, who are my favourites, who kept Lob City at a distance with 106:89.
Both old and new betting providers agree with my Suns Clippers tip – at least if we use their odds as the “answer”. Because according to them, the Suns are the clear favourites with odds of around 1.10 to win!
Conclusion: Putting all of the above together and taking into account the Suns’ home strength, the depth of their roster and their excellent form, we can’t help but call them the favourites tonight.
For their part, the Clippers are experiencing enormous personnel shortages, which have now been exacerbated by Powell’s injury. No wonder LA has a negative record even at this point of the season!
On top of that, Lob City’s already beleaguered squad faced an intense clash last night against the beastly Warriors, while Phoenix were able to put their feet up quite relaxed….
So unsurprisingly, my Suns Clippers reads: Win Suns at HC -8.5!
