Stephen Nover's NBA Western Conference Big Ticket
(NBA) LA Clippers vs. Phoenix,
Point Spread: 4.00 | -108.00 LA Clippers (Away)
Result: Loss
No Kawhi Leonard. No Chris Paul. The Clippers have shown they can still win without Leonard going 2-0 against the Jazz minus their superstar. But can the Suns win without Paul?
 
Paul was instrumental in Phoenix sweeping Denver averaging 25.5 points and 10.3 assists while playing nearly 36 minutes a game. Now he's out due to COVID protocols. 

Terance Mann stepped-up big time in relief of Leonard scoring 39 points against the Jazz two days ago. Mann has to be accounted for now after that monster performance. The Suns have yet to prove they can adequately fill Paul's spot and beat an elite opponent in a playoff game. 

The Suns sweep of Denver could actually hurt them here. The Clippers are riding the momentum of reaching the conference finals for the first time in their history after eliminating the Jazz this past Friday. The Suns, on the other hand, could be flat and rusty having last played a week ago. Phoenix has failed to cover 16 of the last 22 times it has played on three or more day's rest.