Kevin Durant is expected to make his much-anticipated debut tonight since being acquired in a February 9 trade with the Brooklyn Nets. The Suns have won three of their past five and are healthy for the first time this season.
"Just getting comfortable with everybody has been key… Every rep is important, so looking forward to it tomorrow."
🗣️ Kevin Durant@Verizon | #WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/iKugQBDZOE
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 28, 2023
Charlotte is riding a five-game winning streak entering tonight’s contest, but star guard LaMelo Ball fractured his ankle Sunday and is out for the season.
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Phoenix Suns vs. Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
Phoenix is a 10-point favorite with a 230.5 total when the two sides clash tonight at 7:00 pm.
Durant is making his debut and is expected to be on a minutes restriction for tonight. The Suns forward haven’t played since January 8 but was putting up MVP-type numbers for the then No. 2 seed Nets.
Ready to make an impact.@Annexus | #WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/tXBRQ9hqat
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 28, 2023
Durant joins a Suns team that seems to be finding its stride–Devin Booker has missed 27 games, and Chris Paul has missed 21, but the Suns are the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and will enter tonight’s contest fully healthy for the first time this season.
Charlotte has been hot, but they’ll miss Ball running the show, and forward P.J. Washington is expected to miss tonight’s contest. Terry Rozier is having a solid season, and Kelly Oubre is back after missing 23 games.
Phil’s Best Bet For This Game
The best bet for tonight is Under 232.5. The Suns don’t score on the road, and while Durant takes some of the scoring load off of Booker, there will be rust, and Durant will likely play around 20-25 minutes. The Suns are a slower-paced team, and while Charlotte loves to play fast with Ball, that won’t happen.
The Hornets don’t have the shooters nor an inside presence to stop Deandre Ayton, and Paul will dictate the pace of play.
Both sides have played above-average defense over their last five, and Charlotte will fight to win this game at home. The Suns will win comfortably, and the game will end Under 232.5 -110 at Fanduel.
Prop Bets for Phoenix Suns vs. Charlotte Hornets
The prop bet markets are robust at Fanduel, and Phil likes these prop bets for tonight’s contest.
Kevin Durant Over 4.5 assists +122 at FanDuel
Durant is known as a scorer, but he’s been a willing passer his entire career. Durant averages 5.3 assists this season and 4.3 career dimes per game.
Expect the Hornets to double-team Durant; when they do, the assists could pile up–look for Booker and Ayton to be the prime benefactors of Durant’s generosity, and he drops Over 4.5 assists tonight.
Kevin Durant Over 1.5 Made Three-Point Baskets -102 at Fanduel
Durant is one of the best shooters in the game, and he isn’t expected to carry the offensive load like he was in Brooklyn.
Still, Durant is draining 37.5% of his triple attempts, and playmakers like Paul and Booker surround him. Look for Durant to let it fly from downtown tonight at Over 1.5 made three-point baskets.
Devin Booker Over 2.5 made Three-Point shots +156
Booker will be the main beneficiary from the Durant acquisition, and having another big-time scorer on the floor will draw some of the attention away from the Suns guard.
Booker has struggled from downtown over the past five games, but he’s a career 35% shooter from downtown and should get a few more open looks from beyond the arc. Tonight is a good night for Booker to break out of his slump and go Over 2.5 made three-point shots +156.
