The NBA serves up a bite-sized, five-game slate for bettors Thursday so it might be a good night to shop the prop markets for some action. Below, we’ll highlight Thursday’s top NBA player prop predictions.
There are two games with teams playing each other in the second of a two-game miniseries with the New York Knicks hosting the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers visiting the San Antonio Spurs.
We are also treated to a couple of cross-conference tilts both featuring winning teams as the Portland Trail Blazers play the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers meet the Los Angeles Lakers.
Thursday’s NBA player prop bet predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Washington Wizards PG Russell Westbrook UNDER 24.5 points (-115)
Since the All-Star break, the Knicks have gone up against elite point guards including Ben Simmons twice, James Harden, Jrue Holiday and Westbrook two nights ago.
Other than Simmons, who scored 16 points in both meetings and is averaging 16.1 points per game this season, each guard scored well below their season average and Westbrook scored just 14 points on 21.4% field-goal shooting Tuesday.
For the season, the Knicks hold opposing point guards to the 10th-fewest points per game and the fourth-lowest field-goal percentage in the Association.
Also, New York is getting healthier in the backcourt as PG Elfrid Payton returned to action Tuesday and Derrick Rose is expected to return Thursday.
Payton has held Westbrook below 24.5 points in both Wizards-Knicks games this season and four straight in their head-to-head meetings.
BET R. WESTBROOK UNDER 24.5 POINTS (-115) for 1 unit.
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Portland Trail Blazers SG C.J. McCollum OVER 28.5 points, rebounds & assists (-105)
There’s some value in McCollum’s points, rebounds and assists prop because he has struggled to regain his All-Star-caliber form since returning from injury March 16.
In his five games played after coming back from injury, McCollum is averaging just 16.4 points per game on 33.3% shooting with 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He went Over 28.5 points, rebounds and assists just once in those games.
Where the value lies is over the course of the season McCollum is averaging 31.9 PRA and his usage will most likely tick up this game because of Portland’s trade deadline moves.
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The Trail Blazers sent guards Rodney Hood and Gary Trent Jr. to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for SG/SF Norman Powell who’s not eligible to play in Thursday’s game against the Heat.
What this means for McCollum is that Portland will be down two ballhandlers, which frees up a bunch of shots and usage.
Furthermore, the Heat have been dealing with injuries to their backcourt, just sent Avery Bradley to the Houston Rockets for SG Victor Oladipo and SF Jimmy Butler‘s game status is in question.
Finally, a majority of McCollum’s shot attempts come from behind the 3-point arc and Miami allows the most 3-point attempts in the league. If the Heat allow McCollum to chuck threes, he could go Over 28.5 PRA on points alone.
BET C.J. McCollum OVER 28.5 PRA (-105) for a half-unit.
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.
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