The NBA slate is smaller today with only six games, but there are still plenty of players to choose from for our prop bets. There are a couple of TNT games tonight, but I’m going with Suns-Heat as today’s marquee game. Phoenix is favored by 1.5 points and the total is set to 215.5.
As for best NBA bets, player props are a fun way to wager on NBA games even if you don't like a side or total. I like to find matchups that I can exploit or good situations due to injuries.
Let’s dive into a couple of these scenarios now.
Dennis Schröder OVER 18.5 points
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis out, someone is going to need to pickup the slack for this Los Angeles Lakers. In the team’s game on Sunday without LeBron, Schröder scored 22 points.
He currently averages 15 points per game (PPG), but that number has gone up to 17.2 over his last ten outings. He is one of the only guys on L.A. that can create his own shot and he gets a nice matchup tonight against New Orleans.
The Pelicans rank 25th in points allowed, 28th in defensive rating, and are in the bottom five of several other key defensive metrics.
We should see a ton of points in this game, so look for Schröder to at least get 20 to hit this mark.
Zion Williamson OVER 26.5 points
Sticking with the same game here, because I am going to try to exploit the Lakers for a couple of games before numbers get adjusted. Without James and AD, they lack depth and should be able to get scored on. Phoenix just put up 111 on them and I see the Pelicans getting to around 115 today.
Zion will be a big part of that, unless this game turns into a blowout. Williamson is having a dominating, Shaq-like season, averaging 25.7 PPG. He has gone over this mark in three of his last four games.
Matchup wise, I don’t see anyone in this particular Lakers rotation being able to stop him tonight.
Jimmy Butler OVER 22.5 points
Jimmy Buckets and Miami started off slow, but are heating up. Butler is averaging 25.4 PPG over his last ten games. I also love that he has scored 23 or more points in eight of his last 10 games.
Matchup wise, Phoenix’s defense doesn’t have a true rim protector and they are also sending guys to the line a lot. Something Butler loves to take advantage of.
While this will be one of those grinder type games, Butler gets up for games like this one. Some late free throws should help seal the deal on this bet.
Be sure to check back daily for our top NBA player prop bets.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook