The NFL action will steal headlines, but there is an exciting 10-game NBA slate set to be tipping off throughout the day.
Starting at 3:30 PM EST, the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves will play some afternoon basketball. In addition, the Heat will play the Pacers, the Cavaliers will look to remain undefeated against the Hornets, and the Nets will face off with the Knicks for the second consecutive game. The final game and the lone matchup in the late slate will be between the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz.
While you can check out each matchup on DraftKings Sportsbook, here are my favorite player props for Nov. 17.
Anthony Edwards Under 4.5 Made Three-Pointers (-168)
Anthony Edwards has made a conscious effort to be more active beyond the three-point arc to start this season. He is launching 11.6 three-point attempts per game this season and connecting at a 42.4% rate. For reference, his previous career-high in three-point attempts for a season is 8.4 and he has shot 35.2% from long range in his career.
This will be a tough matchup for Edwards against the Suns. While they continue to be without two of their top scoring options, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, Phoenix still has its best defensive weapons. So far this season, opposing shooting guards are attempting the least amount of three-pointers at just 1.5 per game when facing the Suns. Ryan Dunn is the biggest name to thank for this and will likely get the first look at matching up with Edwards. Phoenix also plays at the third-slowest pace in the NBA, so there should be fewer possessions available for Edwards and the Timberwolves.
While the former No. 1 pick will present a more difficult challenge than the other shooting guards that Phoenix has faced, the 4.5 three-point line is too high. Edwards has been held under this number in five games already this season. With an increased defensive effort from the Suns, expect Edwards’ damage to be limited and for him to remain under the 4.5 made three-pointers line.
Tyler Herro Over 28.5 Points & Assists (-115)
Jimmy Butler has been downgraded to out and will miss his fourth consecutive game due to an ankle injury. With or without Butler, feel confident in Tyler Herro recording over 28.5 points and assists. The former Sixth Man of the Year has taken another stride forward in his development this season and is averaging 24.5 points and 5.3 assists per game, which are both career-highs.
So far this season, Herro has recorded over 28.5 points and assists in six of the 11 games he has played. It should be noted that Herro was limited to 20 points and five assists in the last game, and this will be the second consecutive game between the Heat and Pacers. However, Herro shot 6-of-16 from the floor in that game and 2-of-9 on three-point attempts, so expect some positive shooting regression.
While they have not imposed themselves at quite the same rate as the past two seasons, the Pacers still play with an up-tempo style of play that leads to more offense across the board. Expect Herro to be ready for this challenge and be at the epicenter of the Heat’s production. Count on him to continue making his All-Star case and have a better performance than on Friday against the Pacers.
LaMelo Ball Over 26.5 Points (-125)
LaMelo Ball is showing how effective he can be when he is given full basketball freedom. The All-Star is averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game this season. He trails only Luka Doncic for the most shot attempts per game and leads the entire NBA with 12.6 three-point attempts per game. Ball has scored over 26.5 points in eight of the 12 games so far this season.
This will be a tough matchup for the Hornets as they face the Cavaliers, who are looking to move to 15-0 on the season. While Cleveland has been incredibly impressive overall, its perimeter defense remains the biggest concern. Both Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have shined offensively, but they have struggled matching up with opposing guards. Most recently, they allowed 29 points to Coby White last game and 34 points to rookie Jared McCain the game prior.
Expect Ball to be ready to let it fly as is always the case with him. While his numbers will settle in some as the season progresses, the 23-year-old will have the most offensive success as any member of the Hornets in this game. Count on him to eclipse 26.5 points for the ninth time this season as he stays on his All-Star pathway.
Shaedon Sharpe Under 18.5 Points (-115)
The Portland Trail Blazers are still sorting through which of their young players are true foundational pieces of the rebuild. They have seen some recent success with Shaedon Sharpe. In the five games he has played in this season, Sharpe has averaged 15.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He is coming off an impressive 33-point performance against the Timberwolves the last time he was on the court.
Unfortunately, this will not be an easy matchup for Sharpe as the Trail Blazers take on the Atlanta Hawks. Dyson Daniels has been a revelation for Atlanta and has been everywhere on the defensive end. The lengthy 6-foot-7 guard is leading the NBA in deflections with 83 on the season. De’Aaron Fox ranks second in the league in this category with just 52. Expect Daniels to be tasked with Sharpe for at least some of this matchup and for this to cause the third-year guard to struggle.
The Hawks have held opposing shooting guards to 15.1 points per game across the past 20 games, which is the fifth-best rate in the league. Portland also has the fourth-worst scoring output across the NBA this season. Sharpe has shown positive signs this season, but expect him to struggle in this matchup. He has only eclipsed 18.5 points once this season and I expect him to regress in his scoring output against Atlanta.
Norman Powell Over 20.5 Points (-105)
The hot start to the season has continued for Norman Powell. The 31-year-old is averaging 23.6 points and is shooting the ball a career-high 16.5 times per game. He has scored over 20.5 points in nine of the 13 games so far this season.
Heading into this matchup, the Clippers are facing the Utah Jazz. Utah ranks 27th in opponent points per game this season, giving up an average of 118.7. Expect some combination of Keyonte George, Collin Sexton and Cody Williams to be tasked as Powell’s primary defender and for Utah to have no true answer for the veteran.
The Clippers needed someone to take a leap in their shot volume and deliver for their offense following the loss of Paul George this summer and while Kawhi Leonard remains injured. Powell has happily stepped into this role and should continue to be expected to as the season progresses. The prop market has not quite caught up to Powell’s increased role and it should be expected for this level of output to continue in today’s game.
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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.
