Today’s slate of games is loaded with 10 matchups across the NBA, leaving plenty of viewing options and betting markets to explore.
The Boston Celtics are set to kick off the day in their second consecutive matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. In addition, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to remain undefeated when they face off with Milwaukee Bucks. The Spurs will also be facing off with the Timberwolves, and the final game of the slate will be taking place between the Clippers and Thunder out in Los Angeles.
This jam-packed slate of games keeps plenty of intrigue and provides numerous options on the betting board. While you can check out each matchup on DraftKings Sportsbook, here are my favorite player props on November 2.
Kelly Oubre Jr Over 17.5 Points (-130)
The Philadelphia 76ers are set to face off with the Memphis Grizzlies while still searching for their second win on the season. Joel Embiid and Paul George have now returned to practice, but the Sixers will continue to be without the pair of All-Stars in this matchup. This will continue to leave more on the plates of the rest of the roster.
Kelly Oubre Jr. has been a key rotation member and will continue to be important this season. Through the opening four games, Oubre has averaged 19.0 points and 4.8 rebounds. He scored 28 points against the Raptors already this season and has attempted at least 14 shots in each game. His average of 16.8 field goal attempts is a significant leap from the 12.9 shots per game he attempted last year with the Sixers. Expect this to continue while Embiid and George remain out.
Looking at this matchup, the Grizzlies are set to be without Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and Vince Williams Jr. These are three of the team’s best perimeter defenders and Bane would have likely been tasked with matching up with Oubre if he were healthy. Oubre will have plenty of opportunities with the ball in his hands and should have no trouble recording over 17.5 points once again in this matchup.
Gradey Dick Over 18.5 Points (-110)
Don’t look now, but Gradey Dick is quietly building a strong case for Most Improved Player. Last year’s 13th overall pick averaged 8.5 points in 21.1 minutes per game last season, but has leaped ahead to 20.8 points and 31.2 minutes per game through the opening six contests of his sophomore campaign. Dick is coming off back-to-back 30+ point games and is climbing the hierarchy of the Raptors’ offensive pecking order.
This will continue to be the case as Scottie Barnes remains out with his orbital fracture, and Immanuel Quickley is listed as doubtful for Saturday, too. Dick currently ranks third on the team in field goal attempts launching 15.7 per game. With key teammates missing time, there is room for this number to continue growing.
Expect the Kansas product to remain in attack mode and for Dick to build off his consecutive 30-point performances. The Sacramento Kings can struggle to defend the perimeter, and Dick is capable of attacking closeouts and taking players off the dribble far more than he gets credit. Count on the Raptors to continue relying on the 6-foot-6 sniper and for Dick to begin to receive the proper recognition for how talented he is.
Bradley Beal Under 25.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists (-110)
The Phoenix Suns are off to a 4-1 start to the season and are playing some high-level basketball. The ball movement looks significantly better than last season and momentum is beginning to build for belief in the team. Unfortunately, Bradley Beal has not been one of the driving reasons for this.
Injury issues have already popped up for Beal as he is battling a hamstring injury. Beal has held questionable diagnoses for the past three games and missed two games already. In the three games he has played, Beal is averaging 18.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. The three-time All-Star was held to 15 points in two of the matchups after scoring 24 points on opening night.
While the strong play of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker will continue to be a reason for belief in the team, don’t be surprised if Bradley Beal’s role begins to shrink. He is still a talented scorer who can get hot, but he struggles to impact the game in other ways. The Trail Blazers are not a bad matchup, but the 25.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists is too high of a margin considering his track record and injury issues. Expect it to be a work in progress for Beal to truly fit into the offense and for the Suns guard to record under 25.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in this game.
Brandin Podziemski Over 12.5 Points (-110)
The Golden State Warriors’ outlook changed greatly following the ankle injury sustained by Steph Curry. While the injury is not as bad as was initially feared, the Warriors will continue to be without the multi-time MVP tonight.
Brandin Podziemski is near the top of the list of players impacted by Curry’s absence. Golden State is fairly limited in its number of on-ball creators but Podz fits this description. After being held scoreless in the opening game, Podziemski has recorded over 12.5 points in three of the last four matchups and tallied as many as 19 in a game this season. He also has seen a notable increase in minutes since Curry’s injury, logging 33:32 and 38:06 minutes of game time in the past two contests after being held to fewer than 25 minutes in the first three games.
Heading into this matchup, the Warriors are set to face off with the Houston Rockets. The youthful squad has played solid defense thus far, but expect there to be enough volume of opportunity for Podziemski to make his impact in the box score. The 12.5-point line is too low based on the situation, so expect the second-year guard to clear this number for the third consecutive game.
Chet Holmgren Over 1.5 Three-Pointers (+140)
The final NBA game of the night will take place in Los Angeles between the Clippers and Thunder. Oklahoma City is off to a 5-0 start to the season and has been playing some high-level basketball. Chet Holmgren is a large reason for this, averaging 19.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and an NBA-best 3.8 blocks per game so far.
One area where Homgren has struggled is beyond the three-point arc. The Gonzaga product is shooting just 30.0% from beyond the arc and is 6-20 overall on the season. This is not typical for the former second-overall pick, who shot 37% on three-pointers last year and 39% in college. He is too talented of a shooter for this slump to continue.
Look towards tonight’s matchup with the Clippers to be the start of this change. So far this season, opponents are shooting 39.9% on three-point attempts against the Clippers. Looking at Holmgren directly, expect Ivica Zubac to serve as his primary defender and for the Clippers big man to struggle when forced out on the perimeter. Expect a healthy dose of pick and pops and for Holmgren to get his fair share of three-point attempts. Even amid the struggles, Holmgren has knocked down over 1.5 three-pointers in two of five games. The +140 odds are worth taking a chance on as Holmgren’s best shooting stretches are still ahead.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
