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Clark’s ‘Caps: Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns Game 5 player prop predictions

Geoff Clark breaks down two NBA player prop bet predictions for Saturday’s Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns NBA Finals Game 5 showdown.

The Milwaukee Bucks (2-2) visit the Phoenix Suns (2-2) Saturday for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Footprint Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. ET. Below, we’ll highlight the top NBA player prop bet predictions for Bucks-Suns Game 5.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton shredded Phoenix with their two-man game Wednesday as they combined for 66 points on 50% field goal shooting with 20 rebounds and 12 assists.

On the other hand, aside from Devin Booker almost all of the Suns struggled offensively in Game 4. Booker put up 42 points on 17-of-28 shooting, but Chris Paul added just 10 points and SF Mikal Bridges scored only 7 points.

Also see: Bucks at Suns Game 5 odds, picks and prediction

Bucks at Suns Game 5 prop bet predictions

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:14 p.m. ET.

Phoenix Suns SF Mikal Bridges OVER 15.5 points, assists & rebounds “PRA” (-130)

Bridges struggled over the past two Finals games in Milwaukee but typically role players are more reliable at home in the playoffs and four of Bridges’ five highest game scores during the postseason have been in Phoenix.

Also, Bridges has gone Over 13.5 “PRA” in four of the six Bucks-Suns games this year (including the regular season) and averaged 19.9 “PRA” during the regular season and is averaging 17.1 “PRA” in the playoffs.

Furthermore, Bridges is more of a 3-and-D guy. He has 10 multi-assist games in these playoffs, five or more rebounds in nine playoff games and Phoenix’s fourth-highest usage rate in the Finals (minimum of five minutes played).

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Milwaukee Bucks SG Pat Connaughton OVER 1.5 made 3-pointers (-135)

First of all, I hate that I’m betting two Overs for player props in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Typically as postseason series wind down, games get played at a slower pace and fewer points are scored.

However, Connaughton’s 3-point player prop has been easy money so far in the Finals. He’s made at least two 3-pointers in every Finals game (and five straight playoff games) with the second-most 3-point attempts for the Bucks in this series while shooting 45.8% from three.

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Moreover, Connaughton is averaging 31.0 minutes per game in the Finals not only because he’s a knockdown 3-point shooter but because he can also defend guards, wings and stretch-4s.

In fact, Connaughton has a plus-16 net rating this series and has been tasked with chasing Phoenix’s 3-and-D guys off the 3-point line. which has been a key wrinkle in Milwaukee’s defensive scheme in the Finals.

What I’m getting at is Connaughton should get the necessary 3-point volume and brings other things to the table, which ensures he gets enough playing time to go Over his 3-pointers made prop.

Want some action on these props? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Damian Lillard says trade request rumors are “not true” but Blazers fans still shouldn’t be confident he’s staying

Damian Lillard might really be ready to move on from the Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard is going to be a Portland Trail Blazer for the foreseeable future. But the problem is the future just isn’t all that foreseeable with him right now.

A bevy of trade rumors popped up on Friday saying Lillard would be requesting a trade from the Trail Blazers in the coming days and that he’d be interested in playing for a number of different teams including the Knicks, 76ers, Warriors and a bunch of other names we’ve heard.

After Team USA’s practice on Friday, Lillard settled things down with his words from a press conference. He flatout said those rumors weren’t true.

But he also said he “hasn’t decided” what his future will be with the organization.

Damian Lillard says he woke up to reports of him on the verge of requesting a trade “is not true.” And says secondly, “I haven’t made any firm decisions on what my future will be.”

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 16, 2021

And that’s exactly what makes everything so hard to believe anything about Lillard’s situation. He remains so non-commital. It all seems to be a wait-and-see thing.

He made some pointed comments about the Trail Blazers’ situation. He doesn’t seem to be satisfied with where the team is and doesn’t believe they can compete for a championship.

He specifically noted that in his availability. Lillard didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement for the Trail Blazers.

Lillard said the Trail Blazers are a good team. But he also said being a good team is not enough for him right now.

Damian Lillard: "The best way to put it is be more urgent. Be urgent about our next step and how we move forward. We've made the playoffs all these years. We're not a bad team, we're a good team. It's a lot of positives. But we've reached that point where it's not enough."

— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 16, 2021

Damian Lillard: "I don't disagree that maybe Chauncey can change our team and make us a better team. But I think if you look at our team as it is, I don't see how you say 'this is a championship team, we just need a new coach.'"

— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 16, 2021

Lillard has not quite requested a trade from Portland yet, but it’s clear that’s where things are headed if they don’t quickly make improvements down the line. And that’s the hard part.

The Blazers aren’t going into the summer with a bunch of money to spend. They’re currently on the books for just over $131 million in salary for next season.

They’ve got decisions to make on names like Normal Powell, Derrick Jones Jr., Carmelo Anthony and Enes Kanter. You could just let them walk but there’s not a lot of ways to improve the team even if you do. And after trading so much for a player like Powell, it’s hard to envision them letting him move elsewhere in free agency.

They’re too good to tank but they have no real means of improvement outside of hitting on a great draft pick or making a big trade. But on the trade front, their best piece is probably Lillard himself.

There’s just not much they can do. The Blazers are sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place. And that might ultimately be why trading Lillard is the best option in Portland.

No, it’s not what you want to see. It’s not what Dame, himself, wants. He’s always said he wants to retire a Blazer and will even live in Oregon regardless of what happens.

But it’s just hard to see them winning — or even competing — for a championship with him at this point.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo shared an incredibly wise explanation on why he hadn’t watched his epic block on Deandre Ayton

Giannis had some incredibly wise words about his block on Deandre Ayton.

Giannis Antetokounmpo made one of the most incredible plays you’ll ever see on a basketball court in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Devin Booker was coming off of a pick set by Deandre Ayton with the ball. He’d been scoring at will all night. Antetkounmpo stepped up to stop him from getting a layup.

Booker recognized it and threw an alley-oop to a wide open Deandre Ayton who was on his way to the rim.

Or, at least we thought it was wide open, anyway. Turns out when Giannis is around nothing is wide open. Because this might just happen.

CLUTCH BLOCK BY GIANNIS 😱 pic.twitter.com/jwB0b75o65

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 15, 2021

That’s just an epic play. An all-time play. Something we may not see matched again for years. There aren’t many players in NBA history who could make a block like that and Giannis did it.

So after doing something like that, one would think that this is something he’d marvel over. Something he’d sit on for at least a night.

Nope. Apparently not. He hadn’t seen the block until the Bucks’ film session on Friday.

Giannis says today was the first time he’s seen the replay of his block on Deandre Ayton, and it only happened during the team’s film session.

“When you talk about the past, that’s your ego talking.”

— Rohan Nadkarni (@RohanNadkarni) July 16, 2021

As far as why, he said it’s because he doesn’t like talking about the past. He told reporters about it yesterday when asked about how he compartmentalized the play and what his mindset was.

“When you focus on the past, that’s your ego.” pic.twitter.com/XKiRMA8Ux2

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 17, 2021

“Usually when, from my experience, right? When I think about ‘Oh, yeah I did this. I’m so great’…or whatever the case might be. Because you’re going to think about that, ‘Oh, we won this. We won that.’ Usually the next day, you’re going to suck. You know, simple as that. Like the next few days, you’re going to be terrible. And I figured out a mindset to have that..”

What’s he mean by that? He explained.

“When you focus on the past, that’s your ego. ‘I did this.’ You know. ‘We were able to beat this team 4-0, I did this in the past, I won that in the past.’ And when I focus on the future, it’s my pride. ‘Yeah, next game, game 5. I do this and this and this. I’m going to dominate.’ That’s your pride talking…I kind of try to focus, you know, in the moment. In the present. And that’s humility. That’s being humble. That’s not setting no expectations. That’s going out there, enjoying the game and competing at the highest level…That’s a skill that I’ve been trying to…perfect it. Yeah, master it. And it’s been working so far. So I’m not going to stop.”

Just incredibly wise words from a 26-year-old who has lived a lot of life. Great stuff.

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NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns Game 5 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns NBA Finals Game 5 odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Phoenix Suns (2-2) host the Milwaukee Bucks (2-2) for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at their self-titled arena Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Bucks-Suns odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.

Milwaukee evened the Finals vs. Phoenix with a 109-103 Game 4 win and cover in a contest that cashed the Under 220.5 closing total.

Suns’ Devin Booker bounced back from a disappointing Game 3 to torch the Bucks for 42 points on 60.7% shooting, but Chris Paul had one of his worst showings of the postseason with 10 points on 38.5% shooting with five turnovers and a team-worst minus-10 in +/-.

For the Bucks, both Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo were brilliant in Game 4.

Middleton put up a 40-spot with six rebounds and four assists. Giannis had a 26-14-8 stat line with three steals and two blocks – one of which on Suns big Deandre Ayton in the final minute was an all-time NBA Finals defensive play.

Also see: Updated 2021 NBA Finals best bet

Suns at Bucks: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:55 a.m. ET.

Money line: Bucks +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Suns -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Bucks +4 (-110) | Suns -4 (-110)
Over/Under: 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Suns at Bucks: Key injuries

Suns

PF Dario Saric (knee) out

Bucks

SG Donte DiVincenzo (foot) out

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Promotion available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV and Washington D.C.

Place all of your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Suns at Bucks: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Bucks 114, Suns 106

Money line (ML)

“LEAN” to the BUCKS (+145) for a half unit only because Milwaukee plus the points is a sharper wager, but I want to “sprinkle” on the underdog’s money line to maximize the value of the Bucks.

Phoenix is actually shooting a lot better from the field than Milwaukee in the Finals. but the Bucks have negated that by completely dominating the paint.

For instance, Milwaukee’s offensive rebounding rate is more than 12% higher than Phoenix’s in this series. The Bucks are outscoring the Suns in the paint 49.5-38.0 points per game and are scoring nearly double the second-chance points per game in the Finals.

Moreover, Phoenix plays with far too much finesse and needs outside jumpers to go down, which isn’t as reliable or consistent as Milwaukee’s physical style of play.

Finally, CP3’s Game 4 stinker is getting a lot of publicity, and rightfully so, but Bucks PG Jrue Holiday was awful as well in that game. I’d argue both are due to bounce-back efforts but would cancel each other out.

However, the Bucks are also bringing a two-time MVP in Giannis and Middleton who’s a former All-Star and go shot for shot with Booker.

Again, the better play is Milwaukee plus points, but consider betting the BUCKS (+145) to take Game 5 and control of the series.

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Against the spread (ATS)

Definitely BET the BUCKS +4 (-110) heavier than or instead of Milwaukee’s money line based on the previously stated logic.

Furthermore, the market is barreling into the Suns as more than 80% of the money bet is on both Phoenix’s money line and to cover the spread.

If those betting splits are the same at tip-off then the House is going to be pulling for the Bucks, and typically in sports betting we want to be with the House and against the public.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS with a slight “lean” to the Over 218.5 (-110) because I like how each offense stacks up against their opponent, and both teams want to get out in transition.

However, I’m not confident enough in that analysis to wager any money on the total. These Finals games should be lower scoring the further we get into this series because these teams know what each other is going to run and are well prepared to defend it.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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NBA finals prop bets: Phoenix Suns Torrey Craig props for 7/17/2021

Saturday’s NBA Finals slate features the Phoenix Suns and some interesting betting options, including lines for Torrey Craig prop bets. The point total set for Craig in Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks is 3.5. Craig has averaged 5.1 …

Saturday’s NBA Finals slate features the Phoenix Suns and some interesting betting options, including lines for Torrey Craig prop bets. The point total set for Craig in Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks is 3.5.

Craig has averaged 5.1 points so far this year while shooting 47.0% from the floor. Over his last five outings, he’s posted 3.4 points per game with a 42.9% rate of shooting from the field.

Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Suns and Bucks begins at 9:00 PM ET on Saturday. Sportsbooks have installed the Suns as 4-point favorites, while the over/under is set at 217.5 points. How will Craig perform relative to his betting lines? Let’s break down his performances and dig into some insights to find out.

Torrey Craig prop bets breakdown

Points Over/Under: 3.5
Over Odds: -125
Under Odds: -105
Points per game: 5.1

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.

Lines last updated at 2:15 PM EST on July 16, 2021.

Torrey Craig points insights

The 3.5 point total set for Craig on Saturday is 1.6 fewer points than his scoring average on the season (5.1).
Craig has put up more than 3.5 points 40 times this season (out of 70 total games — 57.1%).
Craig’s season-long average points prop bet total, 6.7 points, is 1.6 more points than his per-game scoring average.
50% of Craig’s matchups this year have seen him go over his point prop total (three out of six chances).
In less than half of his games — 25 of 70 this year (35.7%) — Craig has gone over his season average points prop bet total (6.7).
The Bucks’ opponents are scoring 108.6 points per game, which is the 23rd-most allowed by an NBA team this season.

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Torrey Craig rebound insights

Craig’s per-game rebound average of 3.7 is 1.2 more rebounds than his prop bet over/under for Saturday’s game (2.5).
In 45 of 70 games this year (64.3%), Craig has collected more than 2.5 rebounds.
Craig has pulled down 3.7 rebounds per game, which is 0.3 fewer boards than his season average prop.
In only one of his six chances (16.7%), Craig has outpaced his rebounds prop bet total.
Teams are pulling down 45.8 rebounds per game against the Bucks this season, the 10th-most allowed by a team.

Torrey Craig assists insights

Craig has averaged 0.8 assists per game, 0.3 more than Saturday’s assist over/under (0.5).
In 36 out of 70 games this season (51.4%) Craig has dished out more than 0.5 assists.
Craig has averaged 0.8 assists per game, the same as his average assist prop bet total.
Craig has covered his average assist prop total (0.8) in 36 of his 70 games (51.4%).
Opponents of the Bucks have averaged 24.2 assists per game this season, the 20th-most against any NBA team.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Additional NBA sports coverage:

HoopsHype / Celtics Wire / LeBron Wire / Lonzo Wire / Nets Wire / Rockets Wire / Sixers Wire / Thunder Wire / Warriors Wire / Rookie Wire / List Wire

A complete breakdown of the mess that is the Team USA men’s basketball roster

Things aren’t good right now.

Oh boy.

It’s already been a not-so-great week for the United States men’s basketball team that’s heading to the Tokyo Olympics soon. They lost to Nigeria to open exhibition play and followed it up with a loss to Australia. They did beat Argentina, though, quieting a lot of critics.

But there are already changes coming to the roster — one, in particular, due to COVID-19 protocols, as you may have seen — and some uncertainty about when certain members will be joining the team. So let’s break it all down, player by player, to show how messy things are at the moment with the Olympics looming.

Herbert Jones: ‘I don’t care about how many points I score, I just want to have a long career’

Herbert Jones, a 6-foot-7 wing from the Alabama Crimson Tide, is considered to be one of the most versatile defenders in the 2021 NBA draft.

Herbert Jones, a 6-foot-7 wing from the Alabama Crimson Tide, is considered to be one of the most versatile defenders in the 2021 NBA draft.

Jones, the reigning Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC, increased his three-point percentage from 7.1 percent as a junior all the way to 35.1 percent as a senior. He was the only player in a high-major conference to record a block percentage above 4.0 percent, steal percentage above 3.0 percent and assist percentage above 20.0 percent this past season.

He recently caught up with HoopsHype to discuss how he improved his shooting, how football helped him play better basketball as well as earning Academic All-District honors.

Please note this interview was minorly edited in its transcript for clarity.

Who should trade for Damian Lillard? A roundtable debate

If Damian Lillard asks out of Portland, here’s where he should go

The NBA Finals are in full swing and Olympic basketball is right around the corner.

But that doesn’t mean it’s too early to discuss potential offseason happenings. With the NBA Draft coming in just over a week, transactions between teams from around the NBA will be flying sooner rather than later.

And everyone has their eyes on what’s happening with Damian Lillard. Will Portland’s star stay or will he demand a trade? And who should trade for him? All very valid questions.

They’re also questions we attempted to answer as a staff. Here’s a look at our roundtable debate at where Lillard would fit best considering all of the different variables.

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LeBron James stepped into coaching mode while watching his son’s game film

Pretty intense.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron Jones was quite enthusiastic and in coaching mode while watching his son Bronny’s game film.

James’ wife Savannah posted a video to her Instagram story to show the dad while he worked his way through the video from one of Bronny’s game. The youngster, currently attending Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, is one of the nation’s top high school players for his age group at 16 years old. And it seems like LeBron has big expectations for his kid, just like the rest of the country. (And who can blame LeBron? He’s a just a loving dad.)

Here’s a funny video of LeBron getting pumped up while watching Bronny.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The GIST USA (@thegistusa)

Pretty intense.

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NBA finals prop bets: Phoenix Suns Chris Paul props for 7/17/2021

NBA Finals action continues Saturday, as we focus on the Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul’s prop bets and lines. The point total set for Paul in Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks is 21.5. So far this season, Paul has recorded an average of 16.9 …

NBA Finals action continues Saturday, as we focus on the Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul’s prop bets and lines. The point total set for Paul in Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks is 21.5.

So far this season, Paul has recorded an average of 16.9 points and 8.8 assists every game, while over his last five performances, he’s averaging 25 points and 8.2 assists. He’s shooting 49.6% from the field this season and 56.7% in his last five games.

Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Suns and Bucks begins at 9:00 PM ET on Saturday. Oddsmakers have installed the Suns as 4-point favorites, while the over/under is set at 217.5 points. Let’s dig into some insights and stats to figure out how Paul will perform in this matchup, especially as it pertains to his betting markets.

Chris Paul prop bets breakdown

Points Over/Under: 21.5
Over Odds: -105
Under Odds: -125
Points per game: 16.9

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.

Lines last updated at 10:35 PM EST on July 15, 2021.

Chris Paul points insights

The 16.9 points Paul has scored per game this season is 4.6 fewer points than his point total set for Saturday (21.5).
In 23.9% of his games this season (21 of 88 matchups) Paul has scored more than 21.5 points.
Paul’s season-long scoring average, 16.9 points per game, is 0.7 points higher than his average points prop bet total.
In less than half of his opportunities — 29 of 62 this year (46.8%) — Paul has hit the over on his point total.
52.3% of Paul’s outings this year have seen him go under his season-long average points prop total of 16.2 points (46 out of 88 games).
The Bucks’ opponents are racking up 108.6 points per game, which is the 23rd-most given up by an NBA squad this season.