New Year’s festivities may be over, but there’s still plenty for basketball fans to look forward to. Thursday’s six-game, 12-team NBA slate has something for everyone, with big names such as Giannis Antetokounmpo. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and LeBron James expected to take the floor. With so many stars in action, narrowing down a few players to back easier said than done. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t bets worth placing. Here are three props catching my eye tonight.
Bam Adebayo over 19.5 points (-120)
Jimmy Butler’s Christmas day trade request has left the Heat in a state of flux, with the team’s long-term future uncertain. Fortunately, Bam Adebayo has what it takes to step up as Miami’s face of the franchise. The center’s stats have taken a slight dip this season, but he’s managed to put up 16.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists through 31 games. However, as one of the league’s more well-rounded players, predicting the three-time All-Star’s production can be difficult.
Tonight, look for the big man to assert himself as a scorer. Over his previous five games against the Pacers, Adebayo has gone over this point total four times, including the last time these two teams met in November. This season, Indiana has given up 50.3 points in the paint, the seventh-worst mark in the NBA. Bam might not be as potent as Butler, but he’s talented enough to drop some buckets on a vulnerable defense.
James Harden over 5.5 rebounds (-115)
In the absence of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden has done just about everything for the Clippers. Despite shooting just 39.3% from the field, the ten-time All-Star has produced 21.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.8 assists. The Beard’s all-around production shouldn’t go overlooked, as it gives bettors plenty of avenues to work with other than scoring.
Harden has snagged just eight total rebounds over his last three outings. However, the Thunder have given up 56.9 boards per game to opponents this season, second-most in the NBA. The former MVP has gone over this number in eight of his last ten appearances vs. Oklahoma City, including a combined 24 rebounds over two contests between these teams in November. On paper, this line is far too low for a stat-stuffing monster like Harden.
Shaedon Sharpe over 2.5 assists (-105)
The Trail Blazers are a difficult team to figure out. Portland has a solid collection of young talent and capable veterans, but none are close to warranting an All-Star game selection. As it stands right now, the team sits near the bottom of the Western Conference with an 11-21 record. Still, this season should be measured in terms of development, not wins and losses. That’s especially true of talented young guard Shaedon Sharpe.
This season, the third-year pro is averaging a career-best 17.8 points to go along with 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. While his play style is score-first, Sharpe has far more value as a passer tonight. The Lakers are giving up 28.4 assists to opponents this season, seventh-most in the NBA. The 21-year-old has managed to clear this total seven times over his last ten appearances, including a December 8th matchup with Los Angeles. A low number at near-even money? It’s hard to say no to this prop.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is b.armetta) 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.
