The set-up: The winless Suns (0-3) travel to LA to meet the 2-0 Clippers at Staples Center. LA is led by All Stars Griffin (22.5-11.5) and Paul (18.0-7.0 APG) but center DeAndre Jordan (14.0 RPG) is also an important cog. So it's big news that Jordan suffered what was initially diagnosed as a sprained right thumb in the third quarter of Sunday's 88-75 win over the Utah Jazz. He did return to play almost five minutes in the fourth quarter, finishing with seven points and 16 rebounds in 28 minutes. However, after being examined more extensively, the Clippers said an X-ray was negative, which means Jordan does not have any broken bones. The Suns own a solid trio of guards in Bledsoe (18.0-5.3-5.7), Booker (15.3) and Knight (11.7), as well as third-year SF Warren (23.3-6.7), who has started fast. However, Phoenix has yet to win.

Phoenix: The Suns gave the Warriors all they wanted last night but in the end lost 106-100, which followed losses to Oklahoma City and Sacramento. It was a frustrating weekend of near-misses for Phoenix, which took OKC to overtime on the road Friday before losing a 13-point lead against Golden State. However, winning at Staples Center seems unlikely.

LA Clippers: Griffin and Paul are the team's stars and leaders but note that the LA reserves have produced more than 40 points in both games this season. The Clippers have won eight straight regular-season home games dating to last season and have claimed five consecutive meetings with the Suns at Staples Center, including a 40-point rout the last time the teams tangled in Los Angeles, 124-84.

The pick: Jordan is listed as probable for this game but one wonders how effective he may be. The Suns enter the game allowing 110.7 PPG and coming off last night's home loss to the Warriors (again, the Suns led at one time by 13 points), I feel as if the Clippers should reach or surpass 110 points, which makes the Over a 10* play.