On Monday’s slate, there is only one NBA game, which involves the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks. Scottie Barnes is among the top names in this matchup to consider for betting options on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Below, I have featured my favorite Scottie Barnes prop bets from this matchup.
Best Scottie Barnes Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Scottie Barnes — Over 7.5 Assists (-135)
The Raptors have emphasized leveraging Scottie Barnes as the initiator of their offense more frequently this season, creating plenty of chances for him to rack up assists. His size and length on the wing make him a triple-double threat since he can score, come up with many rebounds and rack up assists throughout games.
It’s been an impressive season for Barnes, who has averaged 21.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists through 13 games played. He’s coming off a dynamic performance against the Dallas Mavericks in which he registered a career-high 14 assists, adding 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
A personal favorite is to take advantage of Barnes’ role as an initiator for assist props. The Over for 7.5 assists is a favorable outcome to count on, which carries -135 odds.
Rival head coaches and players have noticed the value of having a taller point guard to initiate the offense when facing the Raptors. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd mentioned the difference in passing windows that are available by having someone at Barnes’ size while also being able to punish the defense in different ways to get into the paint and create different advantages.
“It used to always be a small guy was the point guard, but now we have guys that are 6’11”, 6’8” playing the point and it just changes the game. Their vision, the window of passing is a little bit higher, and then also just their ability,” Kidd said after Saturday’s game. “These guys can all put it on the floor, get to the rim, and it just puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”
Kyrie Irving compared how Barnes can impact the game by being moved around the half-court to how Luka Doncic benefits from being a bigger guard. Whether they’re attacking in high pick-and-roll or getting touches in different spots for isolation or post-ups, it creates different passing chances that lead to assist opportunities.
“I think they’re able to use their vision very well, they’re able to flatten the defense, they’re able to post up, they’re able to isolate on the perimeter, and most importantly, they’re able to push the pace and make a lot of tough passes that a lot of small guards can’t make. It’s just their advantage,” Irving said.
If you’re optimistic about Barnes’ outlook to finish in double figures in points and at least one of rebounds or assists, another favorable option is to bet on the double-double prop at -115. He’s done it more often than not this season, with seven double-doubles out of 13 games played.
A longshot option to consider is the triple-double prop at +400. He’s only executed this type of performance once this season, so it’s a riskier betting option with a much bigger payoff if it occurs.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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