At long last, we’ve reached Game 7 between the Nuggets and Clippers. In this do-or-die showdown, Denver will need more than just Nikola Jokic to advance. Perhaps Michael Porter Jr. will rise to the occasion. The forward has had a tough series, but he’s thrived in similar spots throughout his career. Will that be the case on Saturday?
The Nuggets enter tonight’s contest as 1.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 208 points. Here’s the best Michael Porter Jr. prop bet on DraftKings Sportsbook before Saturday’s game tips off.
Michael Porter Jr. O 1.5 three-pointers made (-105)
It’s been a series to forget for MPJ. Through six games, the 26-year-old is averaging 10.2 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 44.0% from the field. While there are still flashes of greatness from the former champion, it’s been inconsistent at best. In half of his outings this postseason, Porter Jr. has failed to reach double-digit points.
With Mike Malone out as head coach, it’s not a shock to see Denver shake up its rotation. That’s had a direct impact on Porter Jr., who logged just 24 minutes during Thursday’s Game 6 loss. To be fair, the sixth-year pro would have gotten more burn if he scored more than five points.
Getting buckets is no easy task against Los Angeles’ tenacious defense. This season, opponents scored just 108.0 points per game against the Clippers, the fourth-lowest mark in basketball. From beyond the arc, LA has held teams to 12.9 three-pointers made, tied for the NBA’s sixth-fewest. Surprisingly, that hasn’t had an impact on Porter Jr., who has connected on 46.2% of his shots from deep in this series.
If the Nuggets are going to get anything out of MPJ tonight, they need to give him open looks. Considering the amount of defensive attention Nikola Jokic attracts, that shouldn’t be an issue. The wing has launched multiple three-pointers in half of his outings this postseason. Two of those occasions came when Porter Jr. failed to log at least 30 minutes. Assuming Denver gives the sharpshooter a heavier workload, he’s due for a solid performance on Saturday.
