In the Western Conference, the fifth and 10th seeds are separated by just one game, with the Denver Nuggets at 14-10 and the Los Angeles Lakers at 14-12. Three teams have identical 14-11 records. One of those teams in the dreaded middle is the Phoenix Suns, who have predictably dealt with injuries to both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
As has been the case throughout his entire 17-year NBA career, Durant has been brilliant when healthy and has shown very few signs of decline at 36 years old. He’s no longer quite the defender he used to be, but he’s still averaging 25.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game on 52-41-82 shooting splits.
Tonight, Durant and the Suns will try to climb their way out of the mess in the middle of the West as they welcome the Indiana Pacers to the desert for a 9 p.m. ET clash.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Suns are six-point favorites and the point total is set to 235. Below, I’ve highlighted my favorite prop bets centered around the 2013-14 MVP.
Best Kevin Durant Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Kevin Durant 35+ Points + Rebounds (+140)
While the Suns have struggled with the injury bug this year, so have the Pacers, especially in the middle. Both Indiana’s backup and third-string big men — James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson — suffered season-ending torn Achilles, forcing the Pacers to trade for former Miami Heat center Thomas Bryant to come on in relief of Myles Turner.
Even while Turner is one of the best rim protectors in basketball, Indiana’s defense hasn’t been great. Overall, it allows 115.3 points per 100 possessions, more than all but seven teams. The Pacers also grab only 47.6% of all available rebounds, better than only the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant has only had one double-digit rebounding game this season, but he should have a good opportunity to crash the glass against an undersized Indiana team. Plus, he’s had a few extra days to recover from the sprained ankle that he suffered on December 3 and should be able to play more aggressively tonight.
Kevin Durant U0.5 Blocks (+160)
Despite their size concerns, the Pacers have been adept at avoiding blocks. Indiana has only been blocked 4.5 times per game this season, the eighth-lowest rate in the NBA. Meanwhile, while Durant has recorded zero blocks in just four games this season, two of them have come in his last three games. Indiana power forward Pascal Siakam, likely to be Durant’s primary defensive assignment tonight, has been blocked just 14 times in 27 games so far this season. Given the plus-odds, Durant is an attractive bet not to record any blocks tonight.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
