Basketball fans will be treated to a loaded eight-game NBA slate on Thursday night. That includes an intriguing clash in Cleveland between Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets and the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers. With so many big names taking the floor, figuring out which players to back is no easy task. However, that also means there’s plenty of winning bets on the board. Here are three player props worth placing tonight.
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Mikal Bridges over 14.5 points (-110)
Plenty were ready to throw in the towel on Mikal Bridges after a handful of games played for the Knicks. The former Nets star, acquired for a boatload of draft picks this summer, hasn’t quite lived up to offseason expectations, but he’s beginning to turn it around. The two-way wing has scored a combined 50 points during New York’s last two games, blowout wins over the Pelicans and Magic. He’s posted a respectable 16.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists with a 47.2% field goal percentage this season.
New York played against the Hornets last Saturday, and it wasn’t pretty for Bridges (eight points on 3-10 shooting). However, he’s been a different player at home, averaging 20.6 points in front of the MSG crowd. In his last five games against the Hornets, the guard is putting up 21.2 points on 47.6% shooting. Considering how the Knicks’ offense is rolling right now, I’d expect them to keep feeding the hot hand.
Tyus Jones over 21.5 points + rebounds + assists (-120)
Now that Kevin Durant has suffered another injury, this time a left ankle sprain, the Suns will need to reinvent themselves on offense once again. That means plenty of shots for Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but the rest of the roster doesn’t offer up much firepower. That could force Tyus Jones, normally a distributor, into more of a scoring role. So far, the point guard has chipped in with 11.7 points and 7.1 assists through 20 games.
Durant’s previous injury, a left calf strain, kept him out of action for seven games in November. During that time, Jones averaged 13.3 points, 7.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds, modest but not insignificant bumps in production. Tonight’s opponent, the Pelicans, aren’t intimidating by any means, giving up the eighth-most points to opponents this season (116.0 PPG). In a spot that demands him to step up, look for Phoenix’s point guard to get involved in multiple ways on Thursday.
Brandin Podziemski under 1.5 three-pointers made (-120)
Stephen Curry is out of action tonight for the Warriors due to knee management. That likely means Brandin Podziemski will step into the starting lineup, a role that has served him well. In the four games he’s played over 30 minutes in this season, the second-year pro has put up 14.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
While Podz is a good bet to begin the game, it’s anyone’s guess as to what comes next. Head coach Steve Kerr has not been shy about going to his bench, taking advantage of Golden State’s depth with a twelve-man rotation. Even if the 21-year-old stays on the court, it might not be due to his offense, as he’s shooting just 39.0% from the field (20.6% 3PT). Over the guard’s last ten games, four of which came as a starter, he’s nailed two or more three-pointers just once. It doesn’t help that the Rockets are one of the NBA’s best defenses, giving up the third-fewest points in the association (107.0 PPG). Despite the expanded workload, fade Podziemski on Thursday.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) 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.
