Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers 4/6/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Matchup Preview (4/6/22)

In a game that quite literally means nothing except for bragging rights, the Phoenix Suns will head to Los Angeles to face off with the Clippers in one of the last games of the year for both teams. The Suns and Clippers are locked into first place and eighth place, respectively, in the Western Conference. Therefore, nothing that either team does makes any difference (in terms of standing) between now and the beginning of the play-in games, in which Los Angeles will have to take part. Still, there is a possibility that both teams deploy their starters, including the Phoenix Suns, who probably should not do that.

Regardless, it has been an incredible season for the Phoenix Suns and even the Clippers, considering they have been without Paul George for most of the year and Kawhi Leonard for all of it! Phoenix has a real chance to win the title this year and clean out the Western Conference, but Memphis is a contender it should prepare for with the utmost caution. The Grizzlies recently dubbed the Suns, despite only playing one usual starter (Dillon Brooks), while the Suns had nearly everyone available. The Clippers could make the playoffs, but it is incredibly challenging to see them going past the first round in a matchup versus the Suns or the Grizzlies, depending on which seed they could secure in the play-in games. Still, crazier things have happened, so check out who I have winning this game and my analysis on each team below!

Editor’s Note: Phoenix has decided to rest four of its starters for this matchup. Norman Powell is also back for the Clippers.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds

Personally, I will be staying off this game, no matter what the spread is or who is playing. It’s usually not a great idea to bet on a game that has no implications whatsoever. If there were a proverbial gun to my head to pick a team, I would choose the Los Angeles Clippers. Norman Powell is back in action tonight and Paul George will be getting closer to his usual form with every passing game. Additionally, the Suns are resting four starters and have no real incentive to win.

How To Watch

Date: 4/6/22
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Arena: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, CA
Channel: ESPN

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Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup

PG: Cam Payne
SG: Landry Shamet
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Torrey Craig
C: JaVale McGee

Phoenix Suns Analysis

Phoenix has clinched first place in the Western Conference and home-court advantage until the NBA Finals. The Suns have virtually nothing to play for in this game, and the risk of injury to a key player outweighs any reason to put their starters out there. The only other reason they would decide to play everyone is if they have concerns about chemistry issues or the potential impact on their chemistry if they don’t play together for a week or two. Phoenix is probably the last team that needs to have concern over whether or not players on the team will have chemistry, but it looks like it will likely stick the starters out there for this matchup.

Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineup

PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Norman Powell
SG: Paul George
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Ivica Zubac

Los Angeles Clippers Analysis

The Clippers are in a similar position to the Phoenix Suns in that they are locked into their current standing in the Western Conference. Los Angeles will be a play-in team and has the opportunity to secure a playoff spot twice. Again, even though the Clippers cannot move up or down in the Western Conference standings, we will likely still see their starters on the floor in this game, including Paul George. George is finally back, and Los Angeles needs to re-calibrate now that it has a primary scorer in the lineup. Phoenix will have the advantage if the game consists of bench players versus bench players, but I think we will see starters for both teams based on the Suns’ lineup on Tuesday night!

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers Daily Fantasy Picks

DFS can be tough this time of year in the NBA, especially with all the late scratches, rest days, and blowout games. Even if teams play their starters, it is nearly impossible to predict the game’s direction. Last week, the Memphis Grizzlies were playing merely one of their starters and pummeled the fully healthy Phoenix Suns. Then, Phoenix turned around and lost to an intentionally-tanking Oklahoma City Thunder squad with nearly everyone. There is little rhyme or reason to what happens this late in the season; however, I will throw a few DFS picks out with the necessary situations that make them a viable play.

If Chris Paul does not play because the Suns do not want to risk an injury to him, I would give Cam Payne a serious look. Payne has played in 11 games without Paul this season and has nearly posted a double-double average with 14.1 points, 9.5 assists, and four rebounds per game. After bouncing around for several years between leagues, Payne has established himself as a legitimate backup point guard in the NBA for Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns. Payne should see a bulk of the minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers even if Paul plays. If he gets 25-30 minutes of floor time, he remains a strong DFS play.

The Clippers don’t have a ton to play for right now except to continue building their chemistry before the play-in games start. If they decide to play everyone, I will consider plugging in Clippers’ forward Paul George for my DFS lineups. George is getting back into the swing of things, and his past two games show there is still some rust that has to be shaken off. Still, George is on the up-and-up, and he could break out any game for a 30/8/6 type of line, so keep an eye on him.