Here are The Game Day’s Clippers vs Suns prediction and bet picks for Game 5 of the 2021 NBA Western Conference Finals. After our Clippers vs Suns Game 5 prediction, check out our 2021 NBA Playoffs Power Rankings & our full 2021 NBA Playoffs Guide.
It might not be the Phoenix Suns in four, but it could very well be the Suns in five as they take on the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5 of the 2021 NBA Western Conference Finals. After taking both games at home, the Los Angeles Clippers took Game 3 on their home court followed by the Suns winning a low-scoring affair in Game 4. With one win away from going to the NBA Finals, the Suns look to close out the series at home.
The 2021 NBA Western Conference Finals Game 5 will start at 9:00 p.m. ET on June 28, airing on ESPN, with the Suns the favorite by five points.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns Game 5 Prediction
Each game in this series has been close all the way to the end, with the exception of Game 3 when the Clippers won by 14. Heading into Game 5 in Phoenix, the Suns have all the momentum in the world.
The injury to Kawhi Leonard during the Utah Jazz series has forced Paul George to take on a much bigger role, and though he’s played well, the fatigue has caught up to him. He’s averaging 41 minutes per game this series while shooting 35.8% from the field and 27.9% from deep. On top of that, George has missed some late-game shots that have led to the Clippers losing.
Deandre Ayton has been one of the driving forces in getting the Suns to where they currently are in the playoffs. There have been some growing pains over the years, but Ayton is showing just why the Suns have stuck with the third-year center. In the series, Ayton is averaging 20.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, and is shooting 69.6% from the floor.
Chris Paul has not performed up to the level he’s been performing in the playoffs since he’s returned from COVID protocol, but you can expect him to bounce back after getting his footing right in the past two games.
The Suns return home, in which they’re on a 5-game home win streak in the playoffs. George would need to have a monster game in order to continue the Clippers season and I don’t see that happening. I’m giving the Suns the edge in this game and Phoenix to take the series 4 games to 1.
The Los Angeles Clippers have had difficulty getting consistent scoring outside of Paul George with Kawhi Leonard having miss the entire 2021 NBA Western Conference Finals so far. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
Los Angeles Clippers: Keys To Victory
- Take quality shots from behind the 3-point line.
- Win the rebounding battle on both ends of the floor.
- Find production outside of Paul George and Reggie Jackson.
- Continue to limit the Suns from deep.
Phoenix Suns: Keys To Victory
- Control the tempo of the game and get the ball in Chris Paul’s hands.
- Heat up from beyond the arc.
- Attack the offensive glass and get second-chance opportunities.
- Get to the free-throw line as often as possible.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns Game 5 Pick
Even without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have been able to stick around and make every game in the series competitive. The team, however, has struggled to close out games down the stretch. And while both teams struggled to crack 80 points each last game, both teams will come to play in this series-deciding game.
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Over/Under Bet
Over 213.5 Total Points (-110)
While the Suns and Clippers have only eclipsed this mark once this series (and have been way under twice), I predict a scoring barrage from both sides in Game 5.
On one side, you have the Suns with the opportunity to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. On the other side, you have the Clippers on the brink of elimination and all of Twitter ready to tweet “Pandemic P."
Neither team is going down without a fight, which will make Game 5 exciting.
Same-Game Parlay Bet
- Devin Booker (Suns): 3+ Three-Pointers Made
- Deandre Ayton (Suns): Record A Double-Double
- Paul George (Clippers): Over 30.5 Points
- SGP = +360
Since breaking his nose in Game 2, Devin Booker has not been the same player he has been in the playoffs, so he’s due for a huge performance. Struggling deep all series, Booker is going to let it fly.
Ayton has been a monster the entire series, especially last game in which he scored 19 and pulled down 22 rebounds. It’s almost a lock for him to record a double-double.
George is not going to go down without a fight, and with him and Jackson being the main two sources of scoring for the Clippers, expect George to put up some numbers.
Moneyline Bet
Phoenix Suns To Win (-200)
While this series has been close throughout, the Suns keep edging out the Clippers. Is it due to the Suns playing great or the Clippers struggling to close out at the end? It’s a mix of both. The Suns have played exceptionally well at home throughout the season and the playoffs. With the team being one win away from going to the NBA Finals, I don’t see them losing in front of their home crowd.
