Clippers vs. Suns: The best player prop bets for Game 2

The last time Kobe Bryant faced Devin Booker on the hardwood in 2016, the Black Mamba gave the up-and-coming shooting guard a pair of his shoes with the inscription "Be Legendary" written across the toes.

Following his performance in Game 1 of the 2021 Western Conference Finals, it’s safe to say that Booker has taken that message to heart. The 24-year-old All-Star finished with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists as he led the Phoenix Suns to a thrilling 120-114 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. It was the first triple-double of Booker’s career, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as Phoenix was playing without starting point guard Chris Paul, who remains in the NBA’s health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19.

Paul is unavailable for Game 2, meaning "Book" will be expected to carry his team again to give the Suns a fighting chance against the remarkably resilient Clippers.

We’ve examined tonight’s matchup closely and have selected the three best players props to wager on.

Nicholas Batum Over/Under 1.5 3-point field goals made

Nicholas Batum is more "glue guy" than "gunner", but the versatile forward has become a surprisingly prolific 3-point shooter since the playoffs began. Batum launched seven treys in L.A.’s opener against Dallas, and has averaged 4.4 3-point attempts per game during the postseason. That’s a 0.3 increase over the regular season, and his 1.8 makes per game also represents a slight improvement.

Granted, Batum canned just one 3-pointer in Game 1 against the Suns, but he made seven combined in his two previous games, and has hit multiple shots from beyond the arc in eight postseason outings this year. With Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka out, expect Batum to let it fly early and often.

Pick: Over 1.5 3-point field goals made (-175)

Devin Booker Over/Under 30.5 points

The Clippers tried everything they could to slow down Devin Booker. They used zones, multiple defenders, and junk defenses. They tried denying the ball, applying 94 feet of pressure, and face guarding him. They went under screens and over them, and tried forcing him left. Absolutely nothing worked. The sixth-year guard made 15 of his 29 shots from the floor, three of his seven 3-points attempts, and all seven of his free throw attempts. In short, Booker made the Clippers look like a JV squad, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be just as lethal tonight, especially playing in front of a hungry home crowd at Phoenix Suns Arena.

There’s no shortage of player props available for Booker this evening, but the one we like most is his point total projection. The two-time All-Star scored 31 points or more 20 times during the regular season and has already accomplished the feat five times in this year’s playoffs. The basket looks like a hula hoop to him right now, and Booker will be free to shoot with impunity as Kawhi Leonard misses his fourth straight game with a sprained right knee and Paul George expends his energy carrying the Clippers’ offense.

Pick: Over 30.5 points (-150)

Marcus Morris Sr. Over/Under 11.5 points

The Clippers are beginning to resemble a MASH unit. In addition to injuries to Leonard and Ibaka, Marcus Morris is now questionable for Game 2 after experiencing knee soreness in Sunday's series opener.

The 31-year-old vet was held out of the starting line-up to begin the second half of Game 1, and contributed just six points in 21 minutes. It was his second straight subpar game following a seven-point stinker against the Utah Jazz in Game 7 of L.A.'s second round series.

When healthy, Morris is a prolific scorer who can nail threes, operate in the mid-range, and post up smaller forwards on the block. Unfortunately the Clippers are unlikely to see that version of him tonight. Take the Under as Morris struggles to make an impact at either end of the court.

Pick: Under 11.5 points (-103)