Division rivals only separated by one game in the standings this season, the #4 seed Los Angeles Clippers (44-38, 40-42-0 ATS) and #5 seed Phoenix Suns (45-37, 43-38-1 ATS) will face each other at least four more times. These clubs split the four regular-season meetings, with the away team winning every time. The Clippers would love for that to continue on Sunday night, while the Suns have their eyes on another trip to the NBA finals. There's plenty of star power on both sides, and they'll collide at 8:00 p.m. EST in Footprint Center for game one of this series on April 16, 2023.
While it's not official yet, all signs are pointing toward Paul George not suiting up for the first two games of this series. Losing a leader, strong defender, and 23.8 points-per-game scorer with playoff experience is never ideal at this time of the year. Yet, Los Angeles will have to make do without him in this game, even though they were only 12-14 without him in the regular season.
The Clippers finished 17th in offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating this season, yet still managed to win 44 games. On the offensive end, the Clippers' strengths were getting to the free throw line, finishing with the 11th-highest free throw rate, and three-point shooting where they finished with the third-highest clip. Along with being a solid defensive rebounding team, the Clippers also excelled at not sending opponents to the free throw line, ending the year sixth in free throw rate defensively.
< /p>
Los Angeles struggled to hit shots at the rim this season, finishing 23rd with a 62.3% rate within five feet of the hoop. Their offensive rebounding percentage was only 20th in the league. Defensively, the Clippers only forced a turnover on 12.5% of possessions which was 24th. Their opponents also knocked down 36.5% of their threes, which was 19th in the NBA.
Wrapping up their season with a win in Phoenix should give them a confidence boost, even if the Suns were resting their key players. The team battled through an early deficit and used a massive fourth quarter to lock in their spot. Los Angeles finished the season 21-20 on the road, one of the seven teams with a winning record away from home. Now is the perfect time to maintain that level of play.
BRODIE. pic.twitter.com/IDK2OSx3S0
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 9, 2023