Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Clippers won’t have star forward Kawhi Leonard on Thursday night in Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns.
Leonard is out due to a right knee sprain, and injury that he aggravated in Game 1.
His status for Game 4 also appears to be in jeopardy, a huge break for the Suns, who are tied 1-1 in the series.
The Suns opened as 2.5-point road favorites in this game, but that has moved in a big way. Phoenix is now favored by 6 or 6.5 points depending in Game 3.
Suns vs. Clippers odds, spread and total for Game 3
Leonard had been terrific to start the series, turning in a 38-point game in the Clippers’ upset win in Game 1.
With Leonard sidelined, Russell Westbrook, Norman Powell and Eric Gordon are going to be tasked with picking up the scoring slack for the Clippers.
The line had been moving towards Phoenix prior to the Leonard injury, jumping to -3.5 in the afternoon. That’s where I was able to bet it.
The Suns had been favored to win this series, and now that looks like more of a reality as long as Leonard is sidelined for the Clippers. This is the third straight season that the Clippers have dealt with an injury to Leonard, Paul George or both in the playoffs or play-in tournament.
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