Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns picks, predictions: Who wins NBA Playoffs series?

The No. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers and No. 4 seed Phoenix Suns face off in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Which team will win the series and advance to the Western Conference semifinals?

Check out these picks and predictions for the NBA postseason series.

NBA Playoffs series picks, predictions: Nets vs. 76ers | Hawks vs. Celtics | Knicks vs. Cavaliers | Warriors vs. Kings | Lakers vs. Grizzlies | Clippers vs. Suns | Heat vs. Bucks | Timberwolves vs. Nuggets

ESPN: Clippers will beat Suns in 6 games

Kendrick Perkins said: "When I look at this matchup, and when I look at Ty Lue, Ty Lue is one not to be underestimated when it comes to down to him game planning and looking forward to these challenges. So, when I look at this, and I look at Russell Westbrook who also has something to prove, I got the Clippers in 6 beating the Phoenix Suns."

Fox Sports: Clippers will beat Suns in 7 games

Ric Bucher writes: "It’s an edgy pick, I realize, but the Clippers have several significant advantages, the biggest being their bench. The other is the way Kawhi Leonard is playing right now, which is as well as he has in years. If KD isn’t guarding Kawhi, who is? And if KD is, can he also carry a heavy offensive load? I’ve seen KD play great and still lose a playoff series, I’ve seen Booker and Paul look dominant yet lose to a one-star team. Eric Gordon has the strength and savvy to match up with Paul. If Ivica Zubac can limit Ayton, and Terance Mann and Norm Powell can make Booker earn his points and keep him off the free-throw line, the Clippers have a chance to pull the upset, even if KD goes off."

NBA Playoffs series odds: Nets vs. 76ers | Hawks vs. Celtics | Knicks vs. Cavaliers | Warriors vs. Kings | Lakers vs. Grizzlies | Clippers vs. Suns | Heat vs. Bucks | Timberwolves vs. Nuggets | Game odds

ESPN: All 16 experts pick Suns to beat Clippers in series

Kendrick Perkins' co-workers have a different opinion than he does, with 16 of them picking Phoenix to beat Los Angeles in the first round. All of them have the series going six or seven games.

Draft Kings: Go with the Suns in 5 games over Clippers

Gabriel Santiago writes: "I don’t know if the Clippers can match up with this version of the Suns, but my doubts are doubled when I realize that Paul George may not return for Los Angeles this round. He has already been ruled out for the beginning of the series. Without George, we saw the Clips struggle against a Suns team last Sunday that played none of its starters: I’ll take Phoenix in five games, even against Kawhi Leonard and LA’s solid supporting cast."

NBA Playoffs series schedules: Nets vs. 76ers | Hawks vs. Celtics | Knicks vs. Cavaliers | Warriors vs. Kings | Lakers vs. Grizzlies | Clippers vs. Suns | Heat vs. Bucks | Timberwolves vs. Nuggets | Daily TV schedule

Sporting News: 4 of 5 experts picks Suns in series against Clippers

Four writers have Phoenix winning the series in six games or seven games, while one is taking the Clippers to win the series in seven games.

The Arizona Republic: Suns should handle Clippers in 6 games in first round

Duane Rankin writes: "The Suns should win the series, but the longer it goes, the more time Paul George has to return from injury. If he is somehow able to come back for say a Game 6 in L.A. or a Game 7 in Phoenix?"

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns NBA Playoffs series predictions