Upcoming Match-ups
Tmrw
25
Apr
7:00 PM
CLE
ORL
+1
-1
19.5
7:30 PM
NY
PHI
+4.5
-4.5
204.5
10:00 PM
DEN
LAL
-1
+1
215.5
Friday
26
Apr
5:30 PM
MIL
IND
+4
-4
224.5
10:30 PM
MIN
PHO
+3.5
-3.5
208.5

Suns vs Clippers Game 3 Player Props & Best Bets – June 24th

Sam Cox

by Sam Cox in NBA Basketball

Updated Jun 24, 2021 · 6:12 AM PDT

Mikal Bridges holding ball at top of key
Mikal Bridges and the Suns look to get up 3-0 on the Clippers Thursday night. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
  • The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers play Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on June 24th
  • Phoenix leads the series 2-0 following two wins in Arizona & get Chris Paul back in the lineup from COVID protocols
  • Read below for the latest player props and best bets

Heading into Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, the Phoenix Suns are two wins away from the NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Clippers must overturn a 2-0 deficit for a third straight series if they are to progress.

Even as they return home, however, the Clippers are narrow underdogs for Game 3.

Chris Paul’s status has been upgraded to probable. The future Hall of Fame point guard had been in health and safety protocol. The Clippers remain without Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka, forcing Ty Lue into some difficult rotation decisions.

Suns vs Clippers Game 3 Player Props

PHO vs LAC Points Rebounds Assists Three Pointers Made
Devin Booker (PHO) 28.5 (O -112 | U -108) 5.5 (O -130 | U +106) 4.5 (O -114 | U -106) 2.5 (O +142 | U -184)
Deandre Ayton (PHO) 15.5 (O -116 | U -104) 10.5 (O -110 | U -110) 1.5 (O +180 | U -225) OFF
Mikal Bridges (PHO) 11.5 (O -102 | U -120) 3.5 (O -128 | U +104)  1.5 (O -110 | U -110) 1.5 (O -148 | U +116)
Paul George (LAC) 30.5 (O -116 | U -104) 8.5 (O +100 | U -122) 5.5 (O +102 | U -124) 2.5 (O -170 | U +132)
Reggie Jackson (LAC) 19.5 (O +100 | U -122) 3.5 (O -128 | U +104) 3.5 (O -144 | U +118) 2.5 (O -164 | U +128)
Marcus Morris (LAC) 11.5 (O -110 | U -110) 4.5 (O +118 | U -144)  1.5 (O +180 | U -225) 1.5 (O -130 | U +102)

Odds as of Jun 24

Bridges Keeps Shooting

With three made threes on 11 perimeter shots in this series so far, betting the over on 1.5 Mikal Bridges threes might seem reckless. Bridges isn’t heaving at the end of the clock for those looks, however.

He’s getting good shots in the flow of the offense, and has underperformed his expected scoring according to ShotQuality.com.

With the Clippers defense occasionally opting to trap Devin Booker, Bridges is one of the primary beneficiaries. Often spotting up in the corner, he’s getting the ball when the Clippers defense is forced to rotate. He’s a good, bordering on great, shooter too. The Suns wing shot 42.5% on three-point attempts in the regular season.

Bridges has made over 1.5 threes in eight games this postseason. He hit this over in the first five games of the first round. While he has cooled off from deep over the last few outings, there’s value in backing that cold streak to come to an end. Even when his shot hasn’t been falling, the Suns are still getting him plenty of open shots.

Chris Paul’s return is a factor to consider, of course. Perhaps it means Bridges gets fewer shots, but it also increases the likelihood of the shots he takes being good ones. The Clippers defense is being forced to collapse by Booker’s drives and Deandre Ayton’s interior presence – the Suns should knockdown plenty of outside shots in Game 3.

  • Pick: Mikal Bridges over 1.5 made threes (-148)

Ayton Dominates Again

What a postseason this has been for Deandre Ayton. Dominant at both ends, the former first overall pick has been a decisive factor in the two wins over the Clippers, scoring 44 points in the series so far. Only Devin Booker and Paul George have scored more.

Ayton’s presence forced Ty Lue to start Ivica Zubac in Game 2. The Clippers have been unable to cope with Ayton when they have gone small – he grabbed 14 rebounds in Game 1, and has been destructive rolling to the basket. That’s before we even mention his perfect timing and athleticism to score the game-winner a couple of days ago.

Even if Lue opts to match Zubac’s minutes with Ayton’s, it’s reasonable to expect yet more big numbers from Phoenix’s center. He’s grabbed every rebound that drops anywhere near him. He’s showed off improved touch around the basket and been able to punish switches.

FanDuel has the line at 26.5 for Ayton’s rebounds and points in Game 3. This seems very low. He was at 38 in Game 2 and 29 in Game 1. Perhaps Ayton has fewer shots with Chris Paul back in the lineup, but Paul’s presence should also create more space, and potentially free up more lob opportunities. There’s good value in backing the over here.

  • Pick: Deandre Ayton over 26.5 points and rebounds (-116)
Author Image