LA Clippers at Phoenix Suns Predictions 1/6/22

Los Angeles Clippers (19-19 SU, 17-21-0 ATS) vs. Phoenix Suns (29-8 SU, 20-17-0 ATS)

When: Thursday, January 6th, 2022, 10:00 pm (ET)

Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

TV: TNT

Point Spread: LAC +11.5/PHX -11.5 (Opened at 11.5 at Bovada – Home of the best live betting platform on the web! Most bookies offer a crappy platform! These guys have it right!)

Total: 219 (Opened at 219)

Money Line: LAC +440/PHX -600

Power Rating: PHX -10

Probable Starting Lineups

Los Angeles Clippers: PG Reggie Jackson, SG Eric Bledsoe, SF Terance Mann, PF Marcus Morris, C Serge Ibaka

Phoenix Suns: PG Chris Paul, SG Devin Booker, SF Mikal Bridges, PF Cameron Johnson C Jalen Smith

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Clippers: F Paul George *Out* (Elbow), G Luke Kennard *Out* (Covid), C Ivica Zubac *Out* (Covid), G Nicolas Batum *Questionable* (Ankle), F Isaiah Hartenstein *Out* (Ankle), G Jason Preston *Out* (Foot), F Kawhi Leonard *Out* (Knee)

Phoenix Suns: G Landry Shamet *Out* (Covid), C Deandre Ayton *Out* (Conditioning), F Jae Crowder *Out* (Covid), C JaVale McGee *Out* (Conditioning), F Frank Kaminsky *Out* (Knee), F Abdel Nader *Out* (Covid), F Dario Saric *Out* (Knee)

Recent Form

The Los Angeles Clippers enter Thursday with an even 19-19 record and sit 7th in the Western Conference. The Clippers ended with a 7-8 record in the month of December as the team continues to struggle with key players out of the lineup. Some of the Clippers’ best stretches this season were thanks to the proficient scoring of Paul George, but without him in the lineup once again with an elbow injury, the team is very inconsistent on offense. In just their two games since the new year, we’ve seen the two sides of the Clippers. In their win over the Nets, they found a way to beat one of the top teams in the East by dropping 120 points. The other side of the team was on display in their last game against the Timberwolves in a lopsided 122-104 final. Vets Reggie Jackson and Eric Bledsoe appear to be carrying the offensive load until Paul George returns. The Clippers leader in scoring remains Paul George despite 12 missed games, as he is averaging 24.7 PPG. As a team, Los Angeles has the 24th scoring offense, averaging 105.5 PPG. On defense, the Clippers sit 7th, allowing 105.7 PPG.

The Phoenix Suns come in with a 29-8 record and sit 2nd in the Western Conference. December was the worst month of basketball so far for the Suns despite a 9-5 record. After dealing with an absent Devin Booker, the team now deals with the absence of key starters Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder due to Covid protocols. The Suns are off to a perfect start in January after dropping 133 and 123 points in their two wins. Phoenix will look to keep their win streak going as after two more home games, the team takes a five-game road trip. Despite missing seven games this season, Booker leads the team in scoring with 23.9 PPG. Phoenix has the league’s 3rd best scoring offense at 112.6 PPG and the 5th best scoring defense at 104.9 PPG. The team’s 7.7-point differential is also 3rd best in the NBA.

Phoenix Brings the Buckets

The Phoenix Suns have established themselves as one of the most explosive offenses this season. While 112.6 PPG is an impressive mark to average, there are some other key stats that give the Suns the advantage in this one. For starters, the Suns shoot 47.7% from the floor as a team, which is a league-best. A large part of their shooting success is their ability to share the ball as the 3rd best assisting team with 26.3 assists per game. Comparing apples to apples, the Clippers sit in the bottom half of the league with a 45.1% field goal percentage and averaged 23.1 assists per game. The last part of the Suns offense worth mentioning is their fast start to games with the 6th most points in the first quarter at 28.7 and their ability to keep their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter with a 4th best 28.1 points. In both of those quarters, the Clippers are 27th in the first and 14th in the fourth. There is no doubt that the Suns will deliver with another high-scoring performance at home. It’s a matter of whether the Clippers can keep up.

Clippers on the Road

At this point in the season, the Clippers hold a 7-8 road record. Recently the Clippers have fared well on the road going 3-1 in their last four road games, including their major upset on New Year’s Day over the Nets. The Clippers have been even better for bettors, going 4-1 ATS in their last five road games against teams with a winning home record and holding an overall winning record ATS on the road at 8-7. Coming into this game as 11.5-point underdogs, the Clippers have a large margin to work with and give bettors a good reason to stand in their corner given their recent stretch on the road.

Suns at Home

At home this season, the Suns have one of the best records at 16-4. Looking at this record alone, one may think the Suns covering at home is a no-brainer, but in recent games, the Suns have struggled, going 2-2 in their last four games at Footprint Center. While both of those losses came to the Warriors and Grizzlies, who are two of the top teams in the west, the absence of their key defensive players in Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder may cause some mismatches against the 7th best defense in the Clippers. With a 10-10 record ATS at home this season, it has been a coin flip to this point on whether they cover, and with another intimidating 11.5-point spread to cover in this one, the Suns are going to need to rely on their dominant 4th quarter offense to run away with this game.

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The Historicals

Thursday is the second time these teams meet this season. The first game back on December 13th ended in a 111-95 final in favor of the Clippers. Looking back at the past few seasons, the Clippers have dominated, winning three of the last four matchups and five of the last seven.

How the Public is Betting the Clippers vs. Suns

64% are betting the Clippers to cover the spread.

62% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 219.

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• The Los Angeles Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games vs. teams with a winning home record.
• The Los Angeles Clippers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS loss.
• The Phoenix Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games against teams with a losing road record.
• Over is 4-1 in the Clippers’ last five games.
• Over is 5-1 in the Suns’ last six home games.
• The Los Angeles Clippers are 18-8 ATS in their last 26 games against Phoenix.

Collin’s Spread Pick for Clippers/Suns

This matchup between the Clippers and Suns will take place without key players on both teams. The Clippers have played well on the road recently, stealing outright wins and covering the spread in three of their last four road games. The Suns are still one of the best offensive scoring teams in the league, but some key missing pieces on defense may allow more buckets for the Clippers. I see value both in the over/under and spread in this game, so I’m taking the over on the 219 total and the Los Angeles Clippers to cover the 11.5-point spread. Bet your NBA predictions for FREE this week by taking advantage of a 100% REAL CASH bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $1000 at Betnow Sportsbook! it’s the biggest sportsbook bonus on the web!