No Easy Bet: Minus Leonard And Paul, Clippers-Suns A Mystery

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No Kawhi Leonard. No Chris Paul. For the Clippers and Suns, Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals will look a lot like Game 1. Neither team will have their main veteran. Leonard has a lingering knee issue, and Paul is in the NBA's COVID health and safety protocol.

So how do you pick who covers and wins Tuesday's matchup? Well, you can start by referring to the players who will fill in for Leonard and Paul.

For LA, that player is Terence Mann, a young guard who has made a name for himself in the playoffs. For Phoenix, it's Cameron Payne, a journeyman who is having the best stretch of his career. Payne even compiled a plus-minus rating of plus-14 in the Suns' Game 1 win.

Of course, these teams are more than just Leonard and Paul. Much more. Suns shooting star Devin Booker erupted for 40 points in Game 1. Center Deandre Ayton went for 20 points and nine rebounds. Forwards Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder scored 14 and 13, respectively. Basically, the Suns have it all, proving as much by bouncing the defending champion Lakers in the first round and sweeping the Nuggets in the second.

As for the Clippers, Paul George (34 points) is still around, and there is plenty of veteran help around him. Point guard Reggie Jackson (24 points), center DeMarcus Cousins (11 points) and guard Rajon Rondo (eight points, seven assists) have all been involved in important games before. Experience often breeds success.

And when it comes to Game 2, you can be sure the Clippers will be plenty motivated. They have played much of their best basketball in these playoffs on the road. The Suns are due to lose. So go ahead and take the Clippers at +4.5.

Meanwhile, the over-under is 224, or 10 points less than the Suns and Clippers combined to score in Game 1. There really is no telling if they can reach those heights again. Odds are, things will be a little slower paced this time. They always are once teams get a look at their opponent. With that in mind, go ahead and take the under.