The Los Angeles Clippers are set to play their first regular-season home game ever at the brand-new Intuit Dome this Thursday. Will they celebrate their move to a new arena with a victory? Or, will Kevin Durant and the Suns own the Clippers in Inglewood?

Catch this game live on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 10 AM, Manila time

Away: Phoenix Suns (0-0/0-0 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Tyus Jones
  • Devin Booker
  • Bradley Beal
  • Kevin Durant
  • Jusuf Nurkic

After an embarrassing exit from the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Suns made a big change on the sidelines by hiring a new head coach in Mike Budenholzer. But it will most likely still boil down to how far the Suns’ triumvirate of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal will take the team. Durant is 36 but remains a very capable offensive weapon. Last season, he averaged 27.1 points on 50.1 percent shooting from the floor. He will be a tough matchup for the Clippers, who are also missing top defender Kawhi Leonard. 

That’s not to mention the departure of elite two-way weapon Paul George over the summer from the Clippers. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Durant, Booker, and Beal eat on offense this Thursday not only because of the questions on LA’s defense but also due to the fact that the Suns have a true point guard in Tyus Jones to handle the quarterbacking duties.

The Suns are 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 home games.

Advertisement

Home: Los Angeles Clippers (0-0/0-0 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • James Harden
  • Norman Powell
  • Terance Mann
  • Derrick Jones Jr.
  • Ivica Zubac

The Clippers will have to find a way to survive without Kawhi Leonard in the meantime. The Klaw is deemed out indefinitely with a right knee issue. With Leonard sidelined, former NBA Most Valuable Player James Harden should enjoy heavy usage against the Suns. While Harden is on the back nine of his career, he’s still dangerous with the ball, and he will have it in his hands a lot in the season opener. 

Last season, Harden averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists. He is not going to be without help, with Terance Mann, and Norman Powell around. Over the offseason, the Clippers also made some intriguing additions with the potential to significantly contribute to the team such as Kevin Porter Jr., Kris Dunn, and Derrick Jones Jr. It could be a committee approach for the Clippers while they wait for Leonard to return, which might turn out to be a great thing for Los Angeles, which is 2-2 against the spread in its last four road games against the Suns.

Picks

Spread: Los Angeles Clippers (+4.5)

Over/Under: Over (225.5)

Advertisement