Suns-Clippers Game 5 Player Props, Picks: Bets for Paul & Ayton (June 28)

by Sloan Piva (SloanPiva) Last Updated 2021-06-28 14:12:18

The Phoenix Suns are on the verge of the NBA Finals, just one win away from eliminating the Los Angeles Clippers from the Western Conference Finals. If Phoenix comes through in Game 5 Monday (read our Game 5 Odds Preview), NBA bettors will have just the Hawks-Bucks series to place wagers on until July 6 at the earliest.

So, let’s get in some Suns-Clippers props and picks while we still can! NBA Prop bets are a fun and exciting way to wager on elements and individuals within a game, rather than just the score of the game. Sportsbooks like DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, etc., regularly list a plethora of great in-game props.

Of course, everything’s always more fun when you win. But to better our chances of winning, we must do our homework.

Let’s get into it. As you may have guessed, all props and odds are via one of our favorite online sportsbooks.

Suns vs. Clippers Player Props & Picks

Deandre Ayton, OVER 17.5 Points (-106)

A big part of the reason why the Suns have been the team to beat this postseason—and lowkey, during the regular season—has been big man Deandre Ayton. The 2018 No. 1 pick has been incredible on the interior, doing yeoman’s work on the glass. He has also been superb on high screen-and-rolls, as well as in the lob game.

Ayton has exceeded 18 points in eight of Phoenix’s 14 games this postseason, and in each of the four Western Conference Finals games. The center’s shot attempts have been in the teens in each of those four games, and he’s shot 69.6 percent in the series. Most importantly, Ayton has played a ton during the playoffs, and his minutes have increased in each of the last three games (34:32, 35:35, and 41:16). He’s healthy, aggressive, and locked in. Bet this bunny.

Chris Paul, OVER 9.5 Total Assists (+100)

Since returning from COVID protocols in Game 3 after missing the first two games of this series, the Suns’ veteran floor general and future Hall of Famer has not exactly scored at will. CP3 is only 11-of-41 from the field (26.8%) and 2-of-10 from long distance. However, the 10-time All-NBA selection and four-time assist champ has still made his presence felt in the passing game.

One of the greatest playmaking point guards of all time, Paul is reason No. 1a why the Suns are the current odds-on favorite to win the chip (No. 1b would be fellow superstar guard Devin Booker, and 1c is Suns coach Monty Williams). CP3 has brought everything and everyone together in Phoenix, transforming the Suns from a draft lottery team to what looks like a championship squad. He doesn’t care about stats—he just wants to make winning plays and secure his first title.

I love Paul’s chances of reaching double-figures in assists in Game 5, helping the Suns close out the Clips while Kawhi Leonard remains out with a sprained knee. CP3 has logged 10 or more dimes in four of his past seven games, including a game-leading 12 in his return last Thursday. I like the odds here, and the upside of the +100 feels too tempting to pass up.

Mikal Bridges More Points than Terance Mann (-113)

I guess I’m all-in on the Suns in this one, huh? Sorry, Clippers Nation. Phoenix is closing this ‘ish out on Monday, and then getting ready for a relaxing stretch (and Bucks-Hawks film study) ahead of the NBA Finals. LA may be motivated to stay alive, but the Suns have stayed motivated all season, and they play every game knowing they cannot lose if they play the right way.

One of my favorite role players on the Suns has been Mikal Bridges, a three-and-D guy who is so much more than that label suggests. He’s a gritty defender, an aggressive fast-break initiator, an underrated slasher, and an accurate shooter. He may never be a star in this league, but he already looks like he will be very good for a very long time.

Mann has shown flashes of brilliance this postseason himself, but the 24-year old Clipper has yet to demonstrate consistent high-scoring ability in large stretches of games. He’s more of an ‘every so often’ type of batch scorer—he had a 39-point explosion in LA’s semifinals-clinching win over Utah 10 days ago, but has finished in double-digits in scoring in just five of the Clippers’ 17 games. Meanwhile, Bridges has poured in double-digits in 10 different playoff games, having taken 10 or more shots eight times. Seems like another no-brainer to me.

Image Credit: Imagn