Kyrie Irving O/U 40.5 PRA vs. Suns
The Nets and Suns meet for a Sunday showdown between two of the NBA’s best teams. Kevin Durant is slated as probable for this matchup, bringing Brooklyn’s 1-2 punch together, while James Harden remains sidelined.
Kyrie Irving has held it down without both players, but recently, there is reason to back the Under. Irving has only gone Over the 40.5 total twice in his past five games and five of the previous 10.
An interesting note to make: Irving is taking part in Ramadan, which means no food or drinks from sunrise to sunset.
With that, I question how much energy Irving will have until May 12, the final date. He has played six games since Ramadan began (April 12) and 24.0 points, 8.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds for 38.0 PRA.
Irving has played 35.5 minutes in that six-game span and his April average is 33.9, down from his 35.2 season average. NBC’s model projects Irving to record 23.5 points, 7.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 34 minutes.
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The Suns allow the second-fewest assists per game (7.39) and 11th-fewest rebounds per game (6.05) to point guards. Phoenix does allow the 10th-most points to point guards (24.30), but with Durant back, plus with Joe Harris and Landry Shamet stepping up, Irving does not have to score 30-plus.
Point guards versus the Suns the last five games:
BOS: Walker (32, 4, 4)
PHI: Milton (5, 2, 2)
MIL: Holiday (25, 8, 4)
SAS: White (12, 6, 2)
SAC: Fox (27, 8, 3)
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A few point guards, Kemba Walker, Jrue Holiday and De’Aaron Fox, posted impressive performances versus the Suns in the last five games. All three, plus Shake Milton and Derrick White, have in common is none of the five went Over 40.5 PRA.
When Irving plays between 30-39 minutes, he averages 27.1 points, 6.7 assists and 5.0 rebounds for 38.8 PRA. In his last five games with Durant, Irving recorded 33, 22, 22, 32 and 32 PRA. Those numbers are well Under his 40.5 PRA total here.
I am backing Kyrie to go Under his PRA total and if Durant suits up, this bet will look even better as the pressure will be taken off Irving.
Pick: Kyrie Irving Under 40.5 (1u)
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