The set-up: The Suns entered the Bubble healthier than they've been all season and that has translated into two straight victories, but I think that Phoenix will finally stumble here vs. this "step up" in competition. The Clippers lost to the Lakers in their first game, before recovering to hammer the Pelicans 126-103 in their second. Phoenix is still 2.5 games behind the Spurs for the eighth spot with six games remaining, but the Clippers are only two games up on third-place Denver. Unfortunately for the Suns, the Clippers can't afford to take the foot off the gas either.

The pick: Note that the Clippers are now 8-1 ATS in their last nine vs. the Western Conference, while the Suns are a poor 2-9 ATS in their last 11 in this series. I believe the Suns lack of depth on the bench gets exposed here as the game comes down the stretch. Lay the points.

This is a 10* GAME OF THE MONTH on the LA Clippers.