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Clark ‘Caps: Bank on these NBA player props, 2/12/21

Geoff Clark breaks down his top three NBA player prop bet predictions for Friday’s NBA slate.

NBA’s Friday night card features a glimpse into the future when Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks host Zion Williamson’s New Orleans Pelicans. The slate also features a meeting between two of the best in the Association with the Milwaukee Bucks playing the Utah Jazz. Here are a few NBA player prop 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.

Washington Wizards PG Russell Westbrook UNDER 24.5 points (-115)

The New York Knicks head to the nation’s capital to take on the Bradley Beal-less Wizards, which allows New York’s fifth-rated defense to focus its energy on bottling up Westbrook.

The price for Westbrook’s points prop is out of whack because it figures Washington’s offense will run through the former scoring champion.

However, Westbrook has gone Over 23.5 points in only three of his 15 games played this season and New York does a good job defending point guards.

The Knicks allow the 10th-fewest points per game to point guards and the second-fewest 3-pointers and if Westbrook settles for threes that’ll be in New York’s best interest.

Westbrook is having his worst shooting year since his rookie season and is averaging fewer than 20 points per game for the first time since his second season.

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Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James OVER 3.5 turnovers (-140)

The Memphis Grizzlies stop by Staples Center Friday for their final regular-season meeting with the Lakers and James faces a feisty Grizzlies defense.

You know the saying, “to make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs”? Well, that’s the explanation behind LeBron being sixth in the league in turnovers per game (3.7), since he’s always running the Lakeshow (seventh in usage rate (31.4)).

Creating havoc defensively is where Memphis specializes. The Grizzlies defense has the second-highest turnover percentage and forces the most turnovers per game vs. opposing small forwards.

Also, LeBron is averaging 4.3 turnovers per game and has gone over 3.5 turnovers in seven of his eight games against Memphis since joining the Lakers.

Also see: Grizzlies at Lakers odds, picks and prediction

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Portland Trail Blazers PF Carmelo Anthony OVER 14.5 points (-115)

The Trail Blazers play the second of a back-to-back against the Cleveland Cavaliers and this is a good spot for Anthony to get buckets. ‘Melo is averaging 18.4 points per game on .478/.542/.867 shooting over his last five games.

Cleveland’s bigs are elite but the Cavs struggle against stretch fours, which is essentially how Anthony is being used. The Cavs give up the most points per game to power forwards and allow the highest field-goal and 3-point percentages.

Plus, Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard is playing at an MVP-caliber so his gravitational pull on defenses inherently creates open looks for his teammates. ‘Melo will be one of the benefactors of said gravitational pull as his usage has been pretty steady in recent games.

Also see: Cavaliers at Trail Blazers odds, picks and prediction

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

LeBron James takes overall All-Star vote lead in latest returns (LeBron Wire)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Clark ‘Caps: Bank on these NBA player props, 2/11/21

Geoff Clark breaks down his top three NBA player prop bet predictions for Thursday’s NBA slate.

Thursday in the Association features a rematch of last season’s thrilling seven-game Eastern Conference Semifinals series between the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors and a meeting between MVP contenders with Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers facing Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers. Here are a few NBA player prop predictions to consider Thursday.

Thursday’s NBA player prop bet predictions

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:10 p.m. ET.

Indiana Pacers PG Malcolm Brogdon OVER 20.5 points (-115)

The Central Division rival Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons clash for the first time since Dec. 2019. This is a get-right spot for Brogdon, who has struggled this month.

After lighting it up in January, Brogdon’s shooting percentages have fallen to 37.6% from the field and 28.0% from behind the arc with a 93 offensive rating through five games in February.

We are looking for Brogdon to bounce back because Detroit has one of the worst defensive backcourts in the Association and it’s particularly bad against point guards. The Pistons allow the fifth-most points per game and the highest shooting and 3-point percentages to point guards.

Brogdon didn’t top 15 points in any of the last four games, but those were against much better defenses. He did go Over 20.5 points in each of his previous five and seven of his last eight and should have a slump-buster performance against a poor Detroit defense.

Also see: Pacers at Pistons odds, picks and prediction

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Orlando Magic C Nikola Vučević OVER 12.5 rebounds (+100)

Two injury-ravaged squads collide when the Orlando Magic visit the Golden State Warriors Thursday at Chase Center.

The Magic have both backcourt starters listed as questionable and are already down two starting forwards while the Warriors are without both bigs. This paves the way for an elite window-cleaner like Vučević to gobble up a ton of rebounds.

Vučević has stepped up his rebounding production this month to average 15 rebounds per game through four outings, and he has grabbed 14 or more rebounds in four of his previous five games to push him to 13th in total rebounding percentage. Vučević had 13 rebounds in his last two games against Golden State and the Warriors give up the fifth-most rebounds per game to opposing centers.

Golden State already plays at the second-fastest pace and will probably speed it up vs. Orlando, which just gives more opportunity for our Vučević rebounds prop to go Over.

Also see: Magic at Warriors odds, picks and prediction

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Miami Heat SF Jimmy Butler OVER 26.5 points + assists (-110)

Butler has beefed up the offensive production for a Miami team that’s regressed a lot from last season’s NBA Finals run. It’s fair to say there are a lot of factors that have contributed to said regression and the Heat should figure this thing out, but at the moment their offensive scheme is centered on Butler.

Since returning from injury six games ago, Butler is averaging 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. For the season, he is averaging a career-high in assist percentage and has the second-highest usage rate of his career. As long as Heat PG Goran Dragic is out of the lineup, Miami will need Butler to initiate the offense.

Finally, Butler has been attacking the basket since returning from injury and is averaging the second-most free-throw attempts per game (12.0) over his last six games.

Butler’s aggressiveness combined with Houston ranking 22nd in opponent’s FTA/FGA rate and opposing small forwards averaging the third-most free-throw attempts per game should equal easy money here for Butler’s Over.

Also see: Heat at Rockets odds, picks and prediction

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

Injury Report: Warriors rookie James Wiseman ruled out vs. Magic on Thursday (Warriors Wire)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Clark ‘Caps: Bank on these NBA player props, 2/10/21

Geoff Clark breaks down his top three NBA player prop bet predictions for Wednesday’s NBA slate.

Wednesday’s NBA slate features two tantalizing point guard matchups as LaMelo Ball’s Charlotte Hornets face Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies while Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks play the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic for the second time this year. Here are a few NBA player prop predictions to consider Wednesday.

Wednesday’s NBA player prop bet predictions

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Charlotte Hornets PG LaMelo Ball OVER 17.5 points (-115)

This is Ball’s sixth game in the starting lineup and it has made a massive difference thus far in Charlotte’s offensive production.

Over the past five games, the Hornets are averaging 119.8 points per game to rank sixth in the NBA and Ball is putting up 22.6 points on 51.4% 3-point shooting, with 6.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game.

Not only is Ball in rhythm, but he vs. Morant is a fascinating point guard duel that showcases the future of the position and should be an entertaining one-on-one battle.

Memphis’ defense plummets in efficiency when Morant is on the floor (according to CleaningTheGlass.com) and all of the Grizzlies’ injuries have contributed to their 26th-ranked defensive rating over the last five games.

Keep in mind Ball has been on fire from deep lately and Memphis is 27th in 3-point defense.

Also see: Hornets at Grizzlies odds, picks and prediction

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New Orleans Pelicans PF Zion Williamson OVER 22.5 points (-120)

The Pelicans are in the Windy City Wednesday to play the Chicago Bulls and Williamson will be a bull in a china shop so to speak in this game.

Chicago is allowing the third-most points per game and free-throw attempts to opposing power forwards in the league while Williamson is averaging 23.5 points per game with the seventh-highest field-goal percentage and sixth-most free-throw attempts per game.

Injuries could play a big role in Chicago’s weak interior defense as the Bulls are missing both frontcourt starters. Either way, Zion has gone Over this number in 11 of 22 starts this season and has shot below 50% in only five games.

Also see: Pelicans at Bulls odds, picks and prediction

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Atlanta Hawks PF John Collins OVER 26.5 points & rebounds (-115)

The point guard matchup in Hawks-Mavericks might be the draw but I’m more interested in the battle of the bigs. Collins has tallied at least 37 combined points and rebounds in each of his four career starts against the Mavericks. He has scored 35 points in each of the last two games against the Mavs on better than 74.4% shooting.

One of those games was last week and there’s no reason Collins’ ownership of the interior can’t continue vs. a Dallas team 29th in opponent’s field goal percentage at the rim (according to CleaningTheGlass.com) and 27th in rebounding percentage.

Also see: Hawks at Mavericks odds, picks and prediction

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

LaMelo Ball put up numbers no other rookie has since Stephen Curry (Rookie Wire)
Trade rumor rankings (Hoops Hype)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Clark ‘Caps: Bank on these NBA player props, 2/8/21

Geoff Clark breaks down his top three NBA player prop bet predictions for Monday’s NBA slate.

Now that Super Bowl LV is in the books, the NBA is the head honcho in American sports for the next couple of months. The Monday slate is a little ho-hum but features a meeting between reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks and current MVP frontrunner C Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets. Here are a few NBA player prop predictions to consider Monday.

Monday’s NBA player prop bet predictions

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:50 p.m. ET.

Bucks PG Jrue Holiday OVER 16.5 points (-115)

Denver is tied for 22nd in opposing point guards’ points per game, 27th in field-goal percentage, and 19th in 3-point percentage by opposing PGs. In 11 career games versus Nuggets PG Jamal Murray, Holiday is averaging 18.9 points per game on .469/.391/.938 shooting and Murray is dealing with a knee issue entering Monday.

Plus, Holiday has scored 17 or more points in four of his last five games and Denver is 22nd in defensive efficiency.

Also see: Milwaukee Bucks at Denver Nuggets odds, picks and prediction

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Houston Rockets C DeMarcus Cousins UNDER 11.5 rebounds (+110)

The Rockets visit the Charlotte Hornets Monday and it’s confusing how this is a plus-money player prop. I get Charlotte is one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA, but Houston just lost its best rebounder in C Christian Wood. Considering Cousins has gone over 11.5 rebounds in only three games this season and none in his last seven outings, we’re getting great value here.

Also, in Cousins’ five career games against Hornets C Cody Zeller, Cousins is averaging 10.8 rebounds per game but has collected more than 11 rebounds in only one of those games. The Rockets are below-average in both offensive and defensive rebounding rates.

Also see: Houston Rockets at Charlotte Hornets odds, picks and prediction

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Los Angeles Lakers PG Dennis Schröder OVER 15.5 points (-130)

The Lakers host the Oklahoma City Thunder for their second meeting this season and Schröder was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate for the Thunder last season.

While this cannot exactly be billed as the Dennis Schröder revenge game, you have to think he is excited to play his former team to possibly get some bragging rights over whoever he’s still friends with in OKC.

Schröder has played exceptionally well over the past three games—averaging 19.7 points per game on 71.4% field-goal shooting—and should have ample opportunity in this game with Lakers All-Star PF Anthony Davis out.

He scored only 14 points in the first Thunder-Lakers game this year but Los Angeles housed OKC 128-99 so the Lakers weren’t even going full throttle toward the end. If this game is tighter, we can expect Schröder’s usage to increase at the end of the game.

Also see: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers odds, picks and prediction

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

NBA players react to Tom Brady, Buccaneers winning Super Bowl (Rookie Wire)
Trade rumor rankings (Hoops Hype)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Clark ‘Caps: Bank on these NBA player props, 2/4/21

Geoff Clark breaks down his top three NBA player prop bet predictions for Thursday’s NBA slate.

Thursday’s NBA slate features the first rematch of the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers since last season’s Western Conference Finals meeting and an anticipated point guard dual when Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors playing Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks. Here are a few NBA player prop bet predictions to consider for Thursday’s NBA schedule.

Thursday’s NBA player prop bet predictions

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:20 p.m. ET.

Lakers PF Anthony Davis OVER 23.5 points (-115)

AD would be the first one to tell you he’s not playing as well as he hoped to start this season but he dominates the Nuggets. Davis has scored at least 25 points in each of his previous 11 games against Denver (including last season’s WCF) and he averaged 29.3 points on 54.4% shooting in four regular-season games against the Nuggets last season.

I think Davis has extraordinary regular-season motivation entering Thursday’s game. Nuggets C Nikola Jokic is a frontrunner in the MVP discussion, which is a spot AD was projected to occupy, but he hasn’t played at an MVP-caliber to this point.

Granted, there’s no home crowd, but I expect Davis to ball out with Nuggets-Lakers being a nationally televised game in Los Angeles.

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Philadelphia 76ers PG Ben Simmons OVER 16.5 assists+rebounds (-140)

It’s widely known that Simmons fills up the box score but isn’t a dynamic scorer. This isn’t a sharp take; Simmons has three triple-doubles this season and has the sixth-most triple-doubles of any active player in the NBA (31).

He has combined for at least 17 rebounds and assists in three of his five career games vs. the Portland Trail Blazers. Like Davis above, Simmons is a former No. 1 overall pick who has the motivation of getting less hype currently than Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard.

While no one can take away from what Lillard does offensively, Dame Time clocks out on defense. Portland is in the bottom-10 in essentially every opposing point guard per game offensive metric.

Mavericks PF Kristaps Porzingis OVER 20.5 points (-115)

This is yet another attempt to pick off low-hanging fruit in the player prop market because the Warriors are down two bigs. Cs James Wiseman and Kevon Looney are both out with injury, which makes PF Draymond Green the starting center.

Also, this is a buy-low spot for Porzingis, who’s shooting a career-low from behind the arc (29.0%) and has scored fewer than 20 points in four of his previous five games. Porzingis scored 24 points last night against a sneaky good Atlanta Hawks defense and his 20 field-goal attempts were a season-high.

Lastly, the Mavericks’ disappointing start to the season should ensure their motivation is high and since Porzingis isn’t knocking down outside shots, he’s a good bet to take his aggression out on Golden State’s questionable interior defense.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

Sixers impressed by Simmons, Embiid on defense after the win (Sixers Wire)
Lakers vs. Nuggets: Lineups, injury reports and broadcast info for Thursday (LeBron Wire)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Clark ‘Caps: Bank on these NBA player props, 2/3/21

Geoff Clark breaks down his top three NBA player prop bet predictions from Wedneday’s NBA slate.

The NBA Wednesday card includes 2018 top-5 draft picks clashing when Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks face Trae Young’s Atlanta Hawks, Chris Paul chaperoning the new-school Phoenix Suns against a neophyte New Orleans Pelicans and much more. Here are a few NBA player prop bet predictions to consider Wednesday.

Wednesday’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.

Houston Rockets C Christian Wood OVER 1.5 threes made (-125)

The Rockets play the Oklahoma City Thunder in their second straight game with the first one being a Houston 136-106 whooping Monday. Wood was 2-of-3 from behind the arc vs. the Thunder and has sunk at least two 3-pointers in four of his last five appearances.

While Wood attempting only three 3-pointers is concerning, this is a great matchup for him because opposing centers are shooting 50% from three vs. Oklahoma City, which is the highest mark in the league.

Furthermore, Wood is 13th in effective field goal percentage and has double his attempts of 3-points per game since last season. Also, Rockets PG John Wall‘s absence in Wednesday’s game should mean more offensive responsibility for Wood.

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Sacramento Kings PG De’Aaron Fox UNDER 24.5 points (-125)

Fox has been ballin’ lately and really carrying Sacramento, scoring 28.3 points per game on 49.3% shooting in his last seven games. However, there’s value in fading Fox and I think the market agrees since Fox’s Under on his points prop is more expensive than the Over.

Also, the Kings host one of the best defensive teams in the NBA — Boston Celtics — Wednesday and Fox has struggled vs. the Celtics early in his career. He is averaging 13 points per game with a 97 offensive rating in his four career games against Boston.

Finally, the Celtics have done a good job all season guarding point guards and allow the third-fewest points per game out of point guards. Even though Boston is missing elite defensive guard Marcus Smart, they are well-coached enough to make someone else besides Fox beat them on the Kings.

Suns C Deandre Ayton OVER 13.5 rebounds (+115)

I always like to mix in a plus-money prop if I can find one and this could be a great matchup for Ayton if Pelicans’ C Steven Adams sits out this game.

First of all, Ayton is one of the best rebounders in the Association. He’s fifth in both total rebounding and defensive rebounding percentages and 11th in offensive rebounding percentage.

Second, Ayton gathered 12 boards in the first Suns-Pelicans meeting this season even with Adams out there despite playing more than five minutes less than his season average. The reason being Phoenix was up 39 points entering the fourth quarter and rested all its starters.

It’s hard to imagine this game being more lopsided and, with no Adams present, Ayton should feast on rebounds.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

NBA Power Rankings: Jazz overtake LeBron, Lakers for top spot (Rookie Wire)
Injury Report: Celtics’ Marcus Smart (calf strain) out vs. Warriors on Tuesday (Warriors Wire)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Clark ‘Caps: Bank on these NBA player props, 2/2/21

Geoff Clark breaks down his top three NBA player prop bet predictions from Tuesday’s NBA slate.

It’s another night of coastal showdowns in the NBA with a primetime co-headliner featuring the Los Angeles Clippers squaring off with the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics visiting the Golden State Warriors. While it’s fun to bandy about actual games, prop bets can be a fun and profitable way to wring some cash out of an NBA card. Here are a few NBA player prop bet predictions to consider Tuesday.

Tuesday’s NBA player prop bet predictions

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Washington Wizards PG Russell Westbrook OVER 39.5 points, assists & rebounds (-125)

The Wizards meet the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday and most NBA fans know the rivalry Westbrook and Blazers PG Damian Lillard have built over the years.

They’ve only played one playoff series against each other—in the 2018-19 postseason—but it was Lillard’s buzzer-beater, followed by his wave goodbye, which was the shining moment of their rivalry.

In the regular season, Westbrook’s numbers supersede Lillard’s. Westbrook averages 29.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists and shoots better from the field in his 27 career regular-season games vs. Lillard.

Prior to last season’s final meeting in the Orlando bubble, Westbrook had eclipsed this 39.5 points, assists & rebounds prop in seven consecutive games against Portland.

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Trail Blazers C Enes Kanter OVER 12.5 rebounds (-135)

Kanter is a rebounding machine and since replacing an injured Jusuf Nurkic as the starting center back on Jan. 16, he is averaging 12.7 rebounds per game.

He’s now first in offensive rebounding percentage, fourth in defensive rebounding percentage and third in total rebounding percentage in the NBA. This is an especially good match up for Kanter because Washington gives up the most rebounds per game to opposing centers.

Also, both of these teams have a propensity to get into up-tempo shootouts, which generally leads to a lot of rebounds. Since the beginning of last season, Portland has the second-highest Over percentage in the NBA and Washington is third. Additionally, the Wizards currently play at the fastest pace in the league.

Golden State Warriors PF Draymond Green OVER 2.5 turnovers (+115)

Green has turned the ball over at least three times in five of his last seven games against the Boston Celtics. Also, Green has the highest turnover percentage in basketball this season and Boston’s defense forces the sixth-highest turnover rate.

Furthermore, Boston hustles defensively. The Celtics are fifth in deflections per game, recover the sixth-highest percentage of loose balls on defense and lead the NBA in forced turnovers per game in their last five games.

Lastly, Green has played against three other teams in the top-10 of defensive turnover percentage (Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons) and he turned the ball over nine times in those three games.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

NBA Power Rankings: Jazz overtake LeBron, Lakers for top spot (Rookie Wire)
Injury Report: Celtics’ Marcus Smart (calf strain) out vs. Warriors on Tuesday (Warriors Wire)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Clark ‘Caps: Bank on these NBA player props, 2/1/21

Geoff Clark breaks down his top three NBA player prop bet predictions from Monday’s NBA slate.

Monday’s NBA schedule features a few cross-conference battles including the Los Angeles Lakers at Atlanta Hawks and the Portland Trail Blazers at Milwaukee Bucks. Prop bets can be a fun, profitable way to wring some cash out of an NBA card. Here are a few NBA player prop bet predictions to consider Monday.

Monday’s NBA player prop bet predictions

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:45 p.m. ET.

Memphis Grizzlies PG Ja Morant OVER 22.5 points (+110)

The Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs finish off their two-game miniseries in San Antonio after Memphis took the first game 129-112 Saturday. This has been a good matchup for Morant since entering the league last season.

Morant is averaging 23.0 points per game on 53.3% field-goal shooting which is his second-highest PPG average vs. any team. He likes to attack the rim and San Antonio is 23rd in opponent’s points in the paint per game and 28th in point guard shooting percentage.

Saturday, Morant put in 19 points on 57.1% shooting so maybe the market is overreacting to him scoring less than he usually does vs. the Spurs. If the Grizzlies’ role players struggle, they’ll lean on Morant to get them going and he shouldn’t have trouble given the matchup.

Also see: Grizzlies at Spurs odds, picks and prediction

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Chicago Bulls PG Coby White UNDER 16.5 points (-125)

First-year New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau takes his team on the road to play his former employer Monday.

In true Thibs style, the Knicks are a hard-nosed and defensive-minded team that likes to grind out games. New York allows the fewest points per game in the Association and they play at the slowest pace. The Knicks are holding opposing point guards to 39.6% field-goal shooting, which is tied for second.

White appears as though he’ll be at least an average starting point guard in this league but it’s only his second season and he’s going to be inconsistent at times. Over his last six games, he is averaging just 11.2 points per game on 37.1% shooting.

Also see: Knicks at Bulls odds, picks and prediction

Sacramento Kings SF Harrison Barnes OVER 1.5 made 3-pointers (-140)

While Barnes put up a dud in the first Kings-Pelicans game of the season with only 7 points on 2-for-8 shooting, both of his baskets were threes. Barnes scored at least 22 points in each of his previous four games vs. the Pelicans and he’s drilled at least two 3-pointers in nine straight games against New Orleans.

Also, the Pelicans have been terrible at defending the three this season. New Orleans allows the most 3-pointers per game and is 23rd in 3-point defense as a team. Opposing small forwards are hitting over 40% of their threes vs. the Pelicans.

Furthermore, the Kings-Pelicans game is ripe for a shootout. Seven of their last eight meetings have gone Over the projected total and these teams have a combined 24-13 Over/Under record this season.

Also see: Kings at Pelicans odds, picks and prediction

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

Kyrie Irving criticizes his defense vs. Wizards: ‘I couldn’t guard a stick’ (Nets Wire)
‘Cancel the flight’: Warriors lobbied to keep Jordan Poole with team (Rookie Wire)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Clark ‘Caps: Bank on these NBA player props, 1/27/21

Analyzing three NBA player props with Geoff Clark from Wednesday’s NBA card.

The NBA’s Wednesday slate is stacked with action as 24 teams do battle tonight. Headlining the slate is a showdown between two of the NBA’s best with the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Philadelphia 76ers and the final regular-season meeting of the superstar-laden Brooklyn Nets and neophyte Atlanta Hawks.

Props can be a fun, profitable way to wring some cash out of an NBA card. Here are a few NBA player props to consider Wednesday.

3 NBA Player Props

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:05 p.m. ET.

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76ers Joel Embiid Under 25.5 points (-110)

Maybe it’s not discussed as much as LeBron James’ brilliance, but the Lakers have the best defense in the league. Los Angeles has the best defensive rating and six players in the top-20 of defensive rating.

There’s no secret as to what propels Philadelphia’s offense—it’s Joel Embiid—and Los Angeles has two of the top defensive bigs in the league. Leading the Lakers is Anthony Davis with the second-best defensive rating in the NBA, then comes C Marc Gasol who’s fifth.

Gasol is particularly important because he’s owned Embiid in their head-to-head history. Embiid averages just 13.9 points per game when going against Gasol and only scored a combined 15 points in their three meetings last season, according to LandofBasketball.com.

Jazz SF Joe Ingles Over 11.5 points (-115)

The absence of Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell creates a void in Utah’s offense that the other players will have to make up for. Mitchell is 11th in usage rate and him not being available Wednesday means ample opportunity for Utah’s role players.

Based on his recent performance and how much the Jazz have him on the ball, SF Joe Ingles’ player prop has the most value. After missing a few games with an Achilles injury, Ingles has the highest effective field goal percentage in the Association over his last four games (minimum of 18 minutes played per game).

Also, the Mavericks are hoping to work in players that missed time because of COVID-19 issues but their defense has stunk lately. Dallas is 25th in opponent’s 3-point percentage and 27th in defensive rating over its past seven games.

Nets SF Joe Harris Over 2.5 threes made (-105)

Aside from each of the Brooklyn big three’s legacy, the player that stands the most to gain from all the Nets firepower is sharpshooter, SF Joe Harris. The 2019 NBA 3-point contest champion is averaging a career-high in 3-point percentage and eFG% this season.

Furthermore, since the Nets acquired SG James Harden on Jan. 14, Harris is averaging 3.8 made threes on 8.3 attempts per game, which is higher than the 3.2 made threes on 6.6 attempts per game Harris averages.

With all the gravitational pull Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving‘s offense commands, expect Harris to at least attempt enough threes to easily clear the 2.5 threes made prop.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

Nets vs. Heat: 3 things we learned from James Harden’s clutch night (Nets Wire)
Stephen A. Smith questions Joel Embiid’s MVP candidacy, Sixers’ wins (Sixers Wire)

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NBA Prop Bet Payday: 4 Christmas game prop bet predictions

Previewing NBA Christmas day’s betting odds and lines, with four NBA prop bet predictions.

The NBA Christmas slate is headlined by Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks taking on LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers as well as Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers playing the Denver Nuggets in their first meeting since the Clippers’ 3-1 collapse in their Western Conference Semifinals series last season.

The 5-game schedule has some pretty enticing prop markets worth examining. Below, we give you four NBA player/team prop bets to consider from the BetMGM game menu.

NBA Christmas prop bet predictions

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3 a.m. ET.

Heat PF Bam Adebayo UNDER 10.5 rebounds (-105)

This is more of a play on newly acquired New Orleans Pelicans C Steven Adams‘ effectiveness than it is against Adebayo. Adams is one of the biggest bodies in the NBA and, even though his career rebound numbers aren’t staggering, he has been in the top 20 in total rebounding percentage for the last four seasons (minimum of 60 starts). The best part of Adams’ game is that he keeps opponents off the glass.

Bucks SF Khris Middleton OVER 2.5 3-pointers (+120)

From a mathematical perspective, Middleton sinking 3 or more 3’s at +120 is an awesome bet. This prop has an implied win probability of 45.5% at +120 and Middleton hit 3 or more 3’s in 29 of 62 regular-season starts last season, which is a 46.8% rate.

The Bucks’ Christmas day opponents—the Golden State Warriors—gave up 15 3’s in their first game and gave up the third-most 3’s per game in 2019-20. Also, the Warriors will be without Draymond Green, so they will need to pay a little extra attention to Giannis Antetokounmpo, freeing up Middleton to rain 3’s.

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Clippers SF Kawhi Leonard OVER 25.5 points (-135)

The Claw has scored 26 or more points in four of his last five games against the Denver Nuggets and should be out for vengeance because of last season’s playoff disaster.

Denver’s best defensive wing from last season—SF Jerami Grant—signed with the Detroit Pistons this offseason and Kawhi’s projected matchup, SF Michael Porter Jr., had trouble staying on the court due to his weak defense. This feels like a spot Kawhi is going to drop a 30-piece on the Nuggets.

Mavericks PG Luka Doncic & Lakers PF Anthony Davis both score 30+ points (+400)

Speaking of 30-pieces, this is the longest odds of any prop here on my bet slip and it requires two MVP contenders putting up 30 each in the biggest showcase game of the season.

Doncic put 32 points in his first game against the Phoenix Suns despite going 0-for-6 from behind the arc. However, Luka is in just his third season and already gets superstar treatment from the officials. He was third last season in free-throw attempts.

As far as Davis is concerned, the 30-plus points won’t be hard if he brings his A-game. His Christmas day matchup—PF Dorian Finney-Smith—had a below-average defensive efficiency last season and Dallas big man Kristaps Porzingis is sidelined with a knee injury.

Want action on any of these props? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see:

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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