The Phoenix Suns won their first game with Kevin Durant in an easy matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls is a tougher test. Durant’s arrival has shaken things up for Phoenix, and bettors looking for sharp NBA Suns-Bulls player props can take advantage. DraftKings has left a bit too much value on the Chris Paul player prop markets. Make sure to check out OddsShopper’s tools for other sharp plays.
Best Suns-Bulls NBA Player Prop | Chris Paul
Chris Paul O/U 11.5 Points
Great point guards know when their teammates have a better chance of sinking a shot than they do. With Kevin Durant and Devin Booker now on the wings and Deandre Ayton in the paint, Chris Paul is much less likely to take his own shots. That was the case in Durant’s debut — after averaging 11.3 field goal attempts per game before his arrival, Paul went 1-for-8 from the field and 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. He didn’t even get to the free-throw line and finished with exactly two points.
Paul has a brutal matchup with the Chicago Bulls tonight. With Chicago starting both Alex Caruso and Patrick Beverley, the Bulls have a stingy backcourt that doesn’t give up much to opposing point guards. Earlier this week, Fred VanVleet racked up only three points against them on 1-for-11 from the field. Chicago’s defense ranks third-best in points allowed to the position per game (22.1) and first through the last seven games (13) — 10 points below the association average.
Further, Chicago’s defense shuts down the non-restricted paint. Paul ranks fourth on the Suns in shots taken from that zone (2.7), good for a whopping 24.1% of his total attempts. If Paul beats this number, it’ll have to stem from his perimeter shooting, but he made multiple 3-pointers just once in February and is yet to do so in March. The Bulls have also allowed the second-fewest 3-pointers per game to point guards (1.2) through the last seven games.
Although Paul is averaging 13.5 points per game this year, his current betting total (11.5) is a more accurate reflection of his role with Booker and Durant in the lineup. However, the books are making a mistake by stacking the juice on the over — the odds should sit closer to even. Bettors should lock in the under at -105 via DraftKings Sportsbook. Readers who are yet to register at DraftKings can score $150 in bonus bets after winning a pre-game moneyline wager!
Best Suns-Bulls Player Prop: Chris Paul Under 11.5 Points (-110 for 0.52 Unit) at DraftKings
