The final matchup of tonight’s 12-game NBA slate will take place between the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker and company will be hosting the surging Clippers with both of these teams entering on two-game winning streaks.
It has been a rocky season for the Suns but they remain the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a record of 23-21. Phoenix has been among the most active teams in trade rumors as they desperately look to elevate their star-studded roster to a true contender. They recently shook things up by adding Nick Richards, who stepped in as the starting center, and the team continues to be connected to other potential moves with the NBA trade deadline approaching.
The Clippers have been one of the more positive surprises in the NBA this season. They are 26-19, which keeps them in sixth place in the Western Conference. James Harden has been successful in helping to keep the team afloat and the rest of the roster has bought into their defensive identity. Kawhi Leonard has made his return to the court and is gradually building up the workload he is capable of taking on. He is not listed on the injury report tonight and is expected to be active.
Devin Booker continues to play at a high level and is averaging 25.5 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. He is shooting 33.7% on three-point attempts while launching a career-high 7.8 three-point attempts per game.
The Clippers enter this game as 1.5-point favorites and -120 on the Moneyline. The Suns hold +100 odds on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook with the game total set at 224.5.
Here are my favorite Devin Booker prop bets for the Monday night matchup.
Best Devin Booker Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Devin Booker’s props are listed at over/under 25.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.5 made three-pointers and 35.5 combined points, rebounds and assists.
Devin Booker Over 6.5 Assists (+110)
When you think of Devin Booker as a basketball player, his ability as a scorer is rightfully what comes to mind first. But the Kentucky product is a much better passer than is recognized and has carried this playmaking responsibility much more often across the past two seasons.
Booker is currently averaging 6.6 assists per game, just shy of the career-high 6.9 he averaged last season. He has recorded over 6.5 assists in 18 of the 39 games this season including as many as 12 assists in three separate games this year.
The Clippers have embraced their defensive identity this season and every basket will be difficult to come by in this game. Los Angeles ranks third in opponent points per game allowed and sixth in opponent assists.
Booker is coming off a seven-assist performance on Saturday against the Wizards and is averaging seven assists across the opening two games against the Clippers. He is sure to be at or near the top of the Clippers’ scouting report and will see plenty of defensive attention in this matchup. Look for him to use his gravity to his advantage and create shots for others.
Count on Booker to record over 6.5 assists for the second consecutive game, second time against the Clippers, and 19th time on the season in this Western Conference matchup tonight. Getting +110 odds is solid value, so look for him to receive plenty of on-ball opportunities across this game.
Devin Booker Over 1.5 Steals (+120)
Another area of his game in which he has taken some notable leaps forward has been Devin Booker’s defense. The 28-year-old is averaging a career-high 1.2 steals per game and has played with a nastiness on this end of the floor that helps set the tone for this team. The Clippers have plenty of strengths, but are far too loose with the basketball. They rank 26th in the NBA in turnovers per game.
Booker has notched as many as four steals in a game this season and recorded over 1.5 steals in 13 matchups. He tallied three steals in the first matchup with the Clippers but was held to one in the second game. Booker’s defensive intensity has increased in recent games, with the star guard recording over 1.5 steals in five of his past eight.
While this is a star-studded matchup with plenty of big names on each roster, expect the defense to tell the story of which team comes out on top. Booker is not afraid to get his hands dirty and compete on this side of the floor and will likely see his defensive responsibilities grow with prized rookie and elite perimeter defender Ryan Dunn set to miss this game.
Look for Booker to be active in forcing turnovers throughout this matchup and play a key part in the defense’s production. Taking a swing on him recording over 1.5 steals for the sixth time in nine games at +120 odds is good value. Expect this matchup to be a much more defensive-oriented game than most anticipate.
