With a full slate of Emirates NBA Cup games on the horizon Friday, the league has just one game on the docket Thursday featuring the Los Angeles Clippers taking on the Phoenix Suns. The Western Conference clash tips at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
Below, we'll preview the game and break down three of the top Clippers vs. Suns NBA picks on PrizePicks for Thursday, including for Clippers G Bradley Beal and Clippers G Chris Paul.
Clippers vs. Suns Prediction, Preview for Thursday
The Clippers will be shorthanded for this matchup, with G James Harden (personal) and F Kawhi Leonard (ankle) having already been ruled out. The Suns will also be missing a key starter with F Dillon Brooks (groin) sidelined for the sixth straight game. However, the Suns are expected to get a boost in their backcourt with G Jalen Green (hamstring) listed as probable. He has yet to play in a game this season.
Los Angeles Clippers
When these two teams met in Los Angeles earlier in the season, the Clippers won by 27 points. The Clippers are 3-2 at home, but they have lost both of their road games. Not only did they lose both of them, but they were blown out each time: The Jazz defeated them by 21 points in Utah, then the Warriors clobbered them by 19 points in San Francisco.
Phoenix Suns
Like the Clippers, the Suns are also winless on the road. However, they are 3-1 at home, and includes a win over the Spurs. The Suns also had significant home and road splits last season: They were 24-17 in Phoenix, compared to 12-29 on the road.
Clippers vs. Suns Picks & NBA DFS
Here are three of the top Clippers vs. Suns DFS picks on PrizePicks for Thursday. Player projections via the PrizePicks real money NBA game.
Clippers G Bradley Beal vs. Suns Projection – 20.5 PRA
- After sitting out Tuesday’s game against the Thunder for rest purposes, Beal has been cleared to take the floor Tuesday.
- While the former Sun has missed three games this season, he has started each of the four games.
- Despite his status as a starter, Beal has yet to log more than 21 minutes in a game as he has battled back issues.
- With Beal playing so few minutes, he is averaging just 8.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Clippers G Chris Paul vs. Suns Projection – 12.5 Pts+Asts
- Paul is averaging only 13 minutes per game this season.
- With so little court time, the veteran point guard has averaged just 2.3 points and 3.9 assists.
- After recording a 14.0% usage rate with the Spurs last season, Paul has a 13.6% usage rate to begin his second stint with the Clippers.
- Even when Paul played a season-high 20 minutes versus the Suns on October 24, he took just one shot on his way to a scoreless performance. The lone silver lining was his 8 assists. However, he has not topped 4 assists in any other game.
Suns F Ryan Dunn vs. Clippers Projection – 8.5 Points
- After logging 19 minutes per game during his rookie campaign, Dunn has averaged 25 minutes while starting all eight games this season.
- The former first-round pick has scored at least 9 points in a game six times, including in each of his last four matchups.
- With Brooks sidelined the last five games, Dunn has averaged 27 minutes and 11.2 points.
- After shooting only 43.0% from the field and 48.7% from the free-throw line last season, Dunn is shooting 49.3% from the floor and 66.7% at the charity stripe through eight games.
All eyes will be on the matchup between the Clippers and Suns as they will be the only game on the NBA schedule Thursday. Despite Harden and Leonard being out, it might be difficult for Beal and Paul to make a significant impact, given their current roles. Meanwhile, Dunn will look to continue his improved production since Brooks went down for the Suns.
With plenty of projections to consider for Clippers vs. Suns, now is the time to build your NBA Lineup on PrizePicks. Just pick More or Less for at least two NBA player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks. Check out the Playbook for more NBA DFS picks and analysis all the way through the season.
