The NBA Friday slate is headlined by a matchup between two of the league’s best point guards with Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers hosting the Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks and a rematch of last season’s first-round Eastern Conference series with the Indiana Pacers taking on the Miami Heat. Here is a couple of NBA player prop bet predictions to consider Friday.
Friday’s NBA player prop bet predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Indiana Pacers SG Caris LeVert UNDER 18.5 points (-110)
Even though the return of LeVert to the hardwood will be good for a struggling Indiana offense, the Heat are a bad matchup for LeVert.
Miami elite defensive wing Jimmy Butler will most likely handle defensive duties for LeVert, who’s struggled in his career against Butler.
LeVert has only scored more than 18.5 points once in six career games against Butler and is averaging 12.7 points per game in those contests.
And in LeVert’s 11 career games against Miami, he’s scoring just 11.3 points per game on 40.7% shooting and 21.6% from 3-point land.
DROP 1 unit on C. LeVert UNDER 18.5 points (-110).
Also see: Pacers at Heat odds, picks and prediction
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Portland Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard OVER 3.5 turnovers (+110)
The saying that would apply to this prop would be “you have to break eggs to make omelets”.
Lillard’s offensive repertoire is so vast that he has the 4th-highest usage, which is the main reason Lillard is 10th in turnovers per game.
Over his past 10 games, Lillard is averaging 32.8 points per game, but 4.0 turnovers per game and has committed at least four turnovers in three straight and seven of those 10 contests.
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Furthermore, Mavericks PG Doncic’s weakness as a defender means Dallas needs to be creative with how it guards Lillard.
I’m expecting the Mavericks to double Lillard fairly often in this game, causing him to pass the ball through tight windows.
BET D. LILLARD OVER 3.5 TURNOVERS (+110) for a half-unit.
Also see: Mavericks at Trail Blazers odds, picks and prediction
Utah Jazz PG Mike Conley OVER 2.5 made 3-pointers (-120)
The Toronto Raptors playing the Jazz will most likely turn into a 3-point shootout given Utah shoots the highest volume of 3-pointers and Toronto has the 3rd-highest 3-point attempt rate.
The absurd 3-point is justified for both teams because the Jazz are 3rd in 3-point shooting percentage and the Raptors are 9th in 3-point percentage.
There are a few reasons to like Conley’s 3-point prop in Jazz-Raptors tonight. First, Conley is shooting a career-best 42.5% from behind the arc and is sinking a career-high 2.9 threes per game.
Second, Conley has gone Over 2.5 made threes in four straight and six of his last eight games.
Finally, the Raptors are 23rd in defensive 3-point percentage, tied for 24th in opposing point guard’s made threes per game and 25th in opposing point guard’s 3-point shooting percentage.
BET M. CONLEY OVER 2.5 MADE 3-POINTERS (-120) for 1 unit.
Also see: Jazz at Raptors odds, picks and prediction
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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