Suns vs Lakers Prop Bets: In-Season Tournament Heats Up

Prop bet #1: Flash Gordon

If the Phoenix Suns want to get their first win against the Lakers this season and advance to the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker will need some support. So, I am looking at Eric Gordon to contribute.

The Suns shooting guard is questionable with a knee injury and sat out last game, but if Gordon does suit up I like his chances of getting some buckets tonight.

Gordon was signed to be the Suns' sixth man off the bench this season, but the oft-injured Bradley Beal has forced Gordon into the starting lineup and he has taken advantage of the added minutes he’s been given.

The veteran sharpshooter has made 14 starts for the Suns this season and he is averaging 16.6 points in 32.8 minutes per game while shooting 50.4% from the field, including an impressive 44.7% from 3-point range.

Tonight, he faces a Los Angeles Lakers perimeter defense that is certainly suspect at times. They allow the third most 3-point attempts per game and the fifth most makes. L.A. also ranks 21st when it comes to opposing guards' 3-point shooting percentage.

Gordon’s point total is set at 12.5. He’s gone Over that number in 12 of his 14 starts this season, which includes going for 15 against the Lakers back on Oct. 26.

Eric Gordon prop: Over 12.5 points (+100 at DraftKings) 25% boost available

Prop bet #2: Slim rebounder

Another place the Suns need to have success to win this matchup is on the boards. Despite having Anthony Davis, who is probable to play in this game, it’s the Suns who are the better rebounding team this season. 

Phoenix ranks seventh in rebounding rate and third in opponent rebounds per game. Compare that to Los Angeles which comes in at 17th in rebounding rate and 25th in opponent rebounds per game. 

With Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic likely to be battling Davis down low most of the game, Nurkic’s teammates will have to step up when it comes to cleaning the glass. Cue, Kevin Durant.

KD has put in plenty of work on the boards this season, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game. Now, Durant has seen a little lull in his rebounding the last couple of games, but he grabbed seven or more boards in nine of his first 15 games this season, including in both previous meetings with the Lakers, where he notched 11 and nine rebounds respectively. 

I like Durant to do a good job cleaning the glass tonight, and go Over his modest rebounding total which is set at a modest 6.5.

Kevin Durant prop: Over 6.5 rebounds (-135 at bet365)

Prop bet #3: Delirious

The Lakers are 12-9 this season and have made it to the knockout stage of the NBA In-Season Tournament. This is despite the fact they are one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA this season. 

Los Angeles attempts the fewest threes per game, hitting them at the second-lowest rate (33.7%) in the NBA and that likely won’t change in this matchup against the Suns and their sound perimeter defense. Phoenix ranks seventh in opponent 3-point attempts and eighth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

That has me looking at an Under for a Lakers 3-point prop. Specifically, I’m looking at Taurean Prince.

The Lakers’ 3-and-D wing has mostly been D and not 3 this season. Prince is averaging 8.7 points per game this season while hitting an unspectacular 34.1% of his 4.5 threes per game. Now, he’s hit a bit of a hot streak over the last four games but he hasn’t increased his volume, so continuing to hit at the rate he has isn’t sustainable. Particularly, against this Suns' defense.

Prince was held to one three or fewer in 11 of his first 15 games which includes both previous games against the Suns, where he went a combined 0-5 from beyond the arc. At even money, it’s worth a shot to fade Prince’s shot in this NBA In-Season Tournament semifinal.   

Taurean Prince prop: Under 1.5 made threes (+100 at DraftKings) 25% boost available