We've got Game 1 of the second round series between the Suns and Nuggets tipping off Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT. With so much star power on both sides, it's a great game to target PrizePicks.
A quick refresher if you aren’t familiar with PrizePicks: you can combine up to five different player squares to payout up to 10x your entry.
You can do a Flex Play or a Power Play. A Flex Play gives you lesser odds, but you can win money if you do not nail every pick. A Power Play is all-or-nothing.
Here’s how I would approach today’s slate in NBA Playoffs slate.
What is PrizePicks? A daily fantasy operator — meaning they’re available in more states (30) than sports betting is! — PrizePicks offers a unique opportunity for action on player projections in which you parlay two or more plays together.
Nikola Jokic Less Than 9 Assists
Nikola Jokic has had his way with Deandre Ayton throughout his career, averaging 27.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, but his assist numbers are low compared to other matchups. The Suns will play Jokic one-on-one with Ayton and stick to their assignments on the perimeter forcing Jokic to score. Something the Timberwolves struggled doing.
In 10 games against Ayton, Jokic is averaging only 7.8 assists per game while failing to capture double-digit assists in 70% of those games. His assist numbers are also a little skewed as he had 15 in their last matchup that went into overtime. There is a chance this may be a push given the projections, but Jokic getting less than nine assists looks like a strong pick tonight.
Chris Paul Less Than 14 Attempts
Over the past three seasons with the Suns, Paul has turned into even more of a pass-first point guard. He has been one of the league leaders in assists each year, averaging 8.9 per game in all three seasons. With that, his scoring has plummeted to a career-low 13.9 points per game this season while shooting 44% from the field.
Paul has attempted 11.3 field goals per game in his past two seasons, and playing alongside Kevin Durant has dipped that total even lower. With Durant and Booker as options No. 1 and 2, expect Paul to continue taking a backseat in this series. Paul averaged 14 field goal attempts per game in the first round, but a majority of those attempts came after Kawhi Leonard was injured, which really opened up the floor. Fourteen field goals is a high total for a pass-first point guard.
