Oddsmakers peg Phoenix Suns as favorites in Game 5 vs. Clippers

Jun 28, 2021, 9:48 AM

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, celebrates as time runs out in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 84-80. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

The Phoenix Suns return home Monday night with a 3-1 lead and the chance at finishing off the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Finals.

From how the betting lines are shaking out, oddsmakers believe the Suns have what it takes to end the series in five games.

After opening at 6.5-point favorites, most sportsbooks have Phoenix as 5.5-point favorites over the Clippers in Game 5.

The matchup has an over/under of 214 after opening at 218.

As for scoring the first basket, Suns center Deandre Ayton is +450 to do so after recording the first points in three of the last four playoff games.

Deandre Ayton has scored the first basket in three of four games this series 💰

Will Ayton do it again tonight? He’s +450… 🤔 pic.twitter.com/jN6LKwGPtB

— NBABet (@nbabet) June 28, 2021

Phoenix enters Game 5 fully healthy, while the Clippers will be without star forward Kawhi Leonard yet again.

Leonard hasn’t played since Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals due to a knee injury that is reportedly feared to be an ACL issue.

The Suns are 9-2 against the spread and 10-1 straight up over their last 11 games.

Most believe the Suns won’t stop at the Western Conference Finals, as Phoenix’s odds at winning the championship improved to +105 Sunday night.

The Milwaukee Bucks are behind the Suns at +115, followed by the Atlanta Hawks at +1,400 and Clippers at +2,200.

Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for extended Suns coverage leading up to the 6 p.m. tip in Phoenix.

Follow @AZSports

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder celebrates after scoring during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, left, is hit in the face by Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum as he passes the ball during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, left, and Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann scuffle during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, grabs a rebound away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, right, during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder defends during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, and Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George reach for a loose ball during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, left, passes the ball while under pressure from Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, knocks the ball from the hands of Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard sits in a suite during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, left, fouls Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley defends during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, right, blocks the shot of Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker defends during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, falls after scoring and drawing a foul as Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann watches during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, right, reacts after being charged with a foul as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder stands by during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, blocks the shot of Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, right, reacts after fouling Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson defends during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, celebrates as time runs out while Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson walks way in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 84-80. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, left, and guard Terance Mann defend during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, left, and guard Patrick Beverley talk during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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