NBA · 1 year ago

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Race at the Break: Malik Monk Surging

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

BetMGM Sportsbook Insights: Sixth Man of the Year
Highest Ticket%: Malik Monk 13.8%
Highest Handle%: Malik Monk 22.4%
Biggest Liability: Norman Powell
Odds Leader: Malik Monk +100

Monk's hot streak has come at a good time as Hardaway navigates through a poor stretch. That said, this race will likely come down to the wire for an award where voting is typically influenced by recent success.
SAC Malik Monk (+100)
Opening Odds: +1200| Last Week: +150 | Ticket%: 13.8% | Handle%: 22.4%

2023-24 Stats: 15.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG

A contender for Sixth Man of the Year last season, Sacramento Kings shooting guard Malik Monk is making a solid case to take home the award this time, clocking in as the current odds-on favorite at -110. Following an inconsistent January that saw Monk average 13.6 PPG on just 41% shooting, the former 11th overall pick has experienced a notable upswing in February. Across his last eight games, Monk has hit the 20+ point mark six times while shooting 52% from the field. The 26-year-old’s recent surge has momentum on his side.
DAL Tim Hardaway Jr. (+175)
Opening Odds: Off the Board | Last Week: +120 | Ticket%: 3.9% | Handle%: 7.8%

2023-24 Stats: 17.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG

It’s been the opposite story for Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. Last week’s odds-on favorite, Hardaway’s struggles this month have him trailing Monk for the award. The 31-year-old averages just 11.0 PPG over his last eight appearances, including three single-digit scoring outputs. Hardaway still leads all reserves with 17.3 PPG, but he must turn things around to regain his spot at the top of the odds board.
LAC Norman Powell (+750)
Opening Odds: +900 | Last Week: +1000 | Ticket%: 8.1% | Handle%: 9.5%

2023-24 Stats: 13.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG

LA’s star trio of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden may receive most of the attention, but Norman Powell has been a vital part of the Clippers’ success this season. Through 53 games, Powell is averaging 13.4 PPG on 49.5% shooting, including a career-best 45.3% from downtown. Having scored at least 14 points in six of his past nine games, the former Toronto Raptor is trending upwards.
CLE Caris LeVert (+2000)
Opening Odds: +2500 | Last Week: +1600 | Ticket%: 3.8% | Handle%: 7.7%

2023-24 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Caris LeVert has found the going tough of late, with the Cleveland Cavaliers guard scoring fewer than six points in three of his past five games. However, he has found other ways to contribute, notching at least five assists in seven straight outings. LeVert faces an uphill climb in 6MOY voting, but he’s been a solid contributor for a Cavaliers team that currently sits second in the Eastern Conference with a 36-17 record.
BetMGM Sportsbook Insights: Sixth Man of the Year
Highest Ticket%: Malik Monk 13.8%
Highest Handle%: Malik Monk 22.4%
Biggest Liability: Norman Powell
Odds Leader: Malik Monk +100

Monk's hot streak has come at a good time as Hardaway navigates through a poor stretch. That said, this race will likely come down to the wire for an award where voting is typically influenced by recent success.
SAC Malik Monk (+100)
Opening Odds: +1200| Last Week: +150 | Ticket%: 13.8% | Handle%: 22.4%

2023-24 Stats: 15.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG

A contender for Sixth Man of the Year last season, Sacramento Kings shooting guard Malik Monk is making a solid case to take home the award this time, clocking in as the current odds-on favorite at -110. Following an inconsistent January that saw Monk average 13.6 PPG on just 41% shooting, the former 11th overall pick has experienced a notable upswing in February. Across his last eight games, Monk has hit the 20+ point mark six times while shooting 52% from the field. The 26-year-old’s recent surge has momentum on his side.