The Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns will take the floor on Tuesday. Game five of this NBA Western Conference Playoff series tips off at 7:00 p.m. PT. The Suns are 11.5-point spread favorites and the game total is 224.5.
LA (45-41 SU and 42-44 ATS) has lost three consecutive after taking game one. The Clippers are playing without both of their stars, Paul George (knee) and Kawhi Leonard (knee).
Phoenix (48-38 SU and 45-40-1 ATS) is looking to close out the series at home. Point guard Cameron Payne (back) is probable to suit up.
Los Angeles is on the cusp of elimination, and with Leonard and George officially out again, it's looking less likely it will survive for another game. How quickly things have changed in this series, as some pundits were already penciling in the Clippers to advance after their game one win.
One has to wonder if this is the end of the Leonard-George era in La La Land. The duo has played in 142 total games together over four seasons, with a 70.3 winning percentage in regular season games and a 54.1 winning percentage in the postseason. Both have two years left on their deals, but is keeping either in the team's best interest anymore?
Defense ?? Offense pic.twitter.com/VRDvpEzEtN
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 22, 2023
LA scores 113.6 points per game (18th) and shoots 47.7 percent (13th), including 38.1 percent from three (3rd). It hits 78.1 percent of its free throws (18th) and averages 43.2 rebounds (17th) with a +0.1 rebounding margin. The Clippers' defense gives up 113.1 points per game (12th), and their opponents shoot 47.4 percent (16th) with a 36.5 shooting percentage from deep (19th). Los Angeles is 21st in offensive rating, 17th in defensive rating, and 23rd in pace, per Dunks and Threes.