by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Suns -3
BetMGM: Suns -3.5
Caesars: NL
Season record
Suns: 63-16
Clippers: 39-40
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Suns - Clippers preview and analysis
Suns analysis
The Phoenix Suns are playing the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles this upcoming Wednesday, April 6. A quick look at the final result of each team’s previous games may seem to paint a clear picture as to why the Suns are 1st in the Pacific Division and why the Clippers are third.
The Phoenix Suns have definitely earned that number one spot only having lost twice after a 9 game winning streak. Following that nine-game streak, they lost their following two, but jumped right back in with a win against the Los Angeles Lakers this past Tuesday, April 5th.
The Phoenix Suns won their franchise-record 63rd game of the season against the Los Angeles Lakers winning 121-110, eliminating the Lakers from the playoff race. The Lakers seemed to take over the majority of the first half of the game, but late into the second quarter, the Suns found their groove and finished off the first half 63-58.
The Suns gained even further separation in the third quarter with an 84-65 advantage within the first six minutes of the quarter. Devin Booker scored 32 points of the Suns’ winning score, evenly split between both halves of the game. Booker scored 16 points the first half of the game and scored the remaining 16 in the third quarter. Six of his shots from 3-point range.
It seemed like it was the Suns game to win after such a large advantage. The Lakers not seeming to be motivated to attempt a comeback and settle for a participation trophy.
The Phoenix Suns seem to be making their mark this season. Will they make the most of the growth they’ve experienced or like Icarus, will they fly too close to the Sun and come plummeting into the ocean shores of California?
Clippers analysis
The Los Angeles Clippers can’t seem to decide whether they're coming or going. Even with a five game losing streak in their past 10 games, they came back to win at home against the Utah Jazz, only to lose again in Chicago against the Bulls.
The Clippers last two games, however, ended in decent size wins, at home and away. A win in Milwaukee this past Friday, April 1st ended 153-119, and a win at home Sunday, April 3rd against New Orleans ended 119-100.
Marcus Morris Sr. led all scorers on Sunday night’s game with 22 points, but as a whole, seven of the nine players in the Clippers rotation scored double-digits. The Clippers seemed to be pulling a trifecta between their offensive performance coming in with a vengeance the first half of the game, their unwavering defense, and improved rebounding.
Can the Clippers keep this momentum from Sunday’s game, especially with a 2 day reprieve, or will that be cut short yet again? They’ve clearly got the potential to keep their No. 3 spot, but will that be enough to survive the rest of the season.
Prediction
There’s a pretty obvious winner in this head to head match. The Phoenix Suns came into the season with a goal for redemption after last season’s loss during the finals and they are clearly not going down without a fight.
Focusing solely on past games this season between the Suns and the Clippers, Phoenix won two out of three. Both of those winning games took place in Phoenix. Could it be due to the Suns’ unwavering fanbase or is it mere coincidence that these losses were in Phoenix territory? If home field advantage makes any bit of difference the Clippers still have a shot to break even.
Los Angeles’ only win against Phoenix took place at the end of last year, so the “Sun” they’ll be facing this time around at home will be much hotter and brighter. Hopefully the Clippers can cut Phoenix’s lights and remind them that No. 1 is just a temporary title. But let's be honest, that's not happening. The Clippers are getting sunburnt. Suns by 12
Betting trends
The Suns are 26-19 ATS as a road underdog the past three seasons.
The under is 10-3 when the Suns play division opponents this season.
The Clippers are 0-9 ATS when playing with two days of rest this season.
Projected starting lineup
Suns:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Jae Crowder
C: Deandre Ayton
Clippers:
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Paul George
SF: Marcus Morris Sr.
PF: Nicolas Batum
C: Ivica Zubac
Key injuries
Suns: Cam Johnson (quad, out)
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard (knee, out)
Statistical leaders
Suns:
Points: Devin Booker -- 26.6
Rebounds: Deandre Ayton -- 10.2
Assists: Chris Paul -- 10.7
Clippers:
Points: Reggie Jackson -- 17.1
Rebounds: Ivica Zubac -- 8.4
Assists: Reggie Jackson -- 4.9
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
