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We are getting closer to finding out who’s going to compete in the NBA Finals matchup, but we found out on Monday night that the Los Angeles Clippers are going to try to delay the Phoenix Suns‘ party for as long as possible.
Where to Bet on the NBA Finals
And now we have the Atlanta Hawks trying to hold on for dear life as they are down 2-1 to the Milwaukee Bucks and will be putting an injured team leader out onto the court in Tuesday night’s game.
How does that play out for sports handicappers when we look at the NBA player props going forward? It’s time to cash in.
Bucks vs. Hawks Game 4 Player Props Picks
KHRIS MIDDLETON UNDER 23.5 POINTS (-120)
Middleton was the big star in Game 3, with 38 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, when the Bucks took firm control of things. But let’s remember a few things:
One is that Atlanta was weakened at that point, with Trae Young hobbling around with a foot injury. Another thing to keep in mind is that Middleton has often pulled a disappearing act in the playoffs, forcing Milwaukee to rely too much on Giannis Antetokounmpo for scoring punch.
Regarding this posted number, Middleton has gone over that total five times, and under it nine times. He has customarily not followed an outstanding game with a good one. So there’s a consistency issue to consider. And don'[t think for a minute that the Hawks will ignore him in Game 4. In fact, quite the contrary.
TRAE YOUNG UNDER 28.5 POINTS (-125)
No one is quite sure how effective Young is going to be in Game 4. But we do know that he had to go off the court in the third quarter with what has been diagnosed as a bruised foot. He did return in the fourth quarter, playing almost eight minutes, but he made just one field goal (a three-pointer) without a rebound or an assist.
First of all, you know that he is going to play. At the same time you also know that because of his high Usage figure (it’s 41.1% for this series), the Bucks are going to have people all over him, including Jrue Holiday.
Young has taken 40 more shots than anyone else on the Atlanta roster. And he is the only one who is averaging more than 16 points per game.
JRUE HOLIDAY OVER 18.5 POINTS (-120)
Holiday had a rough offensive outing in Game 3, going just 2-for-11 from the field. And his over-under figure has dropped a couple of points. But if Young is going to be out there for considerable minutes, it is quite possible that it hurts him more on the defensive end than it does on offense, and since Holiday is the only guy in the Milwaukee lineup he can even hope to guard, that presents an opportunity.
Suns vs. Clippers Game 6 Player Props Picks
DeANDRE AYTON OVER 12.5 REBOUNDS (+100)
It’s been an odd series for DeAndre Ayton. His Offensive Rating (129) is far higher than that of Chris Paul or Devin Booker (who are both under 100).
And he is shooting 67.7% for the series as well. Yet he doesn’t seem to get the ball enough. Only nine field goal attempts in Game 5. And he has taken only five shots from the free throw line through the entire five games. Otherwise, we might strongly consider him in the “Points” category.
But Ayton’s been very effective on the boards, even more so if Ivica Zubac is not on the floor. Zubac has 19 offensive rebounds, while the rest of the Clippers’ roster has only 25. And Ayton has had 22 offensive boards himself. We’ll be on “board” with him.
CHRIS PAUL UNDER 18.5 POINTS (-110)
Since Paul came off the COVID protocol in Game 3, he has shot 19 of 60 from the field (or 31.7%). And Clippers coach Ty Lue has been successful in driving down the offensive efficiency of Phoenix’s guards. Devin Booker’s Offensive Rating is 97. And Paul’s is 98. Not coincidentally, Patrick Beverley has been playing more minutes – almost 31 in Game 5. We’ve been crying out for that,and we’re glad Lue is listening to us!
