Three Prop Bets to Take for Suns-76ers
The Phoenix Suns are set to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, although the lineup will look a bit different.
As soon as the Suns were able to get center Deandre Ayton back, Cam Johnson tore his meniscus just five minutes into action on Friday.
The Suns split their double-header with Portland on Friday/Saturday before having a rest day on Sunday. The 76ers are currently on a two-game losing streak but could see the return of Joel Embiid tonight after dealing with injury/illness.
James Harden will also be out for the foreseeable future with a right foot injury.
Here's some bets to take from experts across the web:
Covers.com
"The Suns know exactly who they are – and that starts with Booker and Paul running the pick and roll and dominating on the perimeter, where the 76ers are glaringly short of lockdown guards beyond non-shooter Matisse Thybulle.
"Don’t count on home-court advantage being a major edge either. There hasn’t been much home cooking at the Wells Fargo Center so far this season, with Philadelphia 1-4 at home.
"Phoenix has the look of a team that’s laser-focused on banishing the memories of last season’s playoff disappointment – and I like the visitors to take control of this game early.
"My best bet: Suns first half -2.5"
BettingPros.com
NBA First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Suns vs. 76ers
Devin Booker (+550)
"While the Suns take on the 76ers, giving them a difficult tip-off contention. But Phoenix boasts the fifth-best defense in the country, so even if Philly earns the opening tip-off, there is still a solid chance the Suns’ defense can step up.
"Booker at +550 is great value considering his high usage and scoring ability. He’s scoring 27 points per game and his 31% usage rate gives me confidence in him being the go-to for the Suns when they need to get their first basket."
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Chris Paul over 2.5 first quarter assists (+120)
"There is one big reason for this bet: pick and roll. The 76ers have struggled in rotation against opposing pick and roll teams, and when Chris Paul comes out aggressively in the first quarter, he has a tendency to pick apart mediocre defenses.
"Without James Harden, the 76ers’ offense will run through Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, and to be honest, there’s not a lot the Sixers can do defensively to slow down the back court tandem of Paul and Devin Booker.
"With Embiid listed as questionable after dealing with the flu the past week, don’t expect him to look fluid defensively, which can lead to some easy baskets in the paint for Deandre Ayton, and wide open three-point looks for Torrey Craig and Mikal Bridges.
"Taking Paul to have a double-double tonight at +170 on Caesars would be a nice bet as well, assuming he gets off to a hot start tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. He has finished with a double-double in three of his last four matchups against Philly."
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