The Houston Rockets are here ahead of schedule, and with a 31-14 record, they’re second in the Western Conference and have won three straight games in incredibly impressive fashion, beating the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers twice and then the reigning champion Boston Celtics last night. Their opponent tonight, the 22-23 Atlanta Hawks, should be relatively easy by comparison.
On Thursday, Houston should get another piece of big news when the All-Star reserves are announced. Although center Alperen Şengün isn’t quite a guarantee to get his first All-Star nod, it’s likely that the Rockets will get at least one All-Star, and Şengün is clearly their best player. The 22-year-old Turk is averaging 19.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game this season and playing career-best defense.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Houston is a six-point favorite and the total is set for 227. Below, I’ve highlighted my favorite prop bets centered around Şengün.
Best Alperen Şengün Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Alperen Sengun O35.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-125)
Although Şengün has seen his offensive role diminish somewhat in the last four games with the recent breakout of former fourth overall pick Amen Thompson, who scored a career-high 33 points and hit his first career game-winner last night, he’s still one of the most well-rounded players in the game — only three players average more rebounds and more assists than he does — and is more than capable of putting up star-level numbers. He scored an efficient 26 points on January 25, although that’s been his only 20-point performance in his last four games.
It’s possible that Thompson will be slowed down a little bit by Hawks shooting guard Dyson Daniels, but to be honest, I like anybody against Atlanta, which plays at the league’s second-fastest pace and has a merely average defensive rating. This season, the Hawks have given up the fourth-most points, seventh-most rebounds, and fourth-most assists per game, which should allow Şengün to make a big all-around impact. He was just one rebound and one assist shy of a triple-double last night against Boston, so if he takes more than 10 shots, he should be able to make his presence felt.
Alperen Sengun O2.5 Steals + Blocks (+114)
Because of their pace and occasional recklessness — especially point guard Trae Young and power forward Jalen Johnson, who rank second and 28th in turnovers per game, respectively — Atlanta gives up lots of steals and blocks. Opponents rack up 9.6 steals per game — the third-most in basketball — and 5.4 blocks, the 11th-most. Meanwhile, Şengün is the rare center who averages more steals than blocks, and he has put up three or more combined blocks and steals 13 times this season, including seven games with three or more steals and four games with three or more blocks.
