Sports Betting Community: Suns-Clippers Preview

After missing the NBA betting playoffs for the first time in five seasons, the Phoenix Suns are prepared to run their way back to the postseason in 2009-10.

The determined Suns look to open the season Wednesday night with a fifth straight victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, who are trying to get by without injured No. 1 overall draft pick Blake Griffin.

Poised to bounce back after a first-round playoff exit the previous NBA season, Phoenix took a step back in 2008-09.

New coach Terry Porter, who tried to transform the fast-paced Suns into more of a halfcourt, defensive-minded team, was fired with the Suns 28-23 and averaging 104.4 points per game at the All-Star break.

Assistant coach Alvin Gentry took over and sped up the tempo as Phoenix went 18-13 while averaging 117.4 down the stretch.

The Suns, though, were already in a hole and then hit hard by a season-ending eye injury to star forward Amare Stoudemire (21.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg) in February. Despite finishing 46-36, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Read more at : http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/10284242/Suns-Clippers-Preview