The NBA All-Star break is over, which means the second half of the season is officially underway. Nine games are set to tip off on Thursday, with 18 teams in action. Among the matchups to watch, Ja Morant’s Grizzlies visit Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers in a potential shootout. Elsewhere, the defending champion Celtics visit Joel Embiid and the rival 76ers. With so many games in action, there are plenty of bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here are three player props catching my eye tonight.
Ja Morant over 7.5 assists (-110)
A high-octane Grizzlies offense has led the NBA with 123.3 points per game. Surprisingly, Memphis’ superb scoring has occurred without stellar play from its point guard. Ja Morant’s talent is undeniable, but the former Rookie of the Year hasn’t been at his best this season. Through 32 games, the 25-year-old has averaged 20.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 44.7% from the field. Those numbers certainly aren’t bad, but it’s fair to call them underwhelming for a player this talented.
Morant’s offensive output can be inconsistent, often finishing somewhere between 25 and ten points on any given night. Nagging injuries certainly haven’t helped in that regard. Following a week off, the guard should be well-rested for tonight’s game. Memphis’ opponent, the Pacers, also play an uptempo, score-first brand of basketball. That could lead to plenty of easy buckets in transition for both teams. Over each of his last four meetings with Indiana, Morant has recorded at least eight assists. Expect that trend to continue when these two offensive juggernauts face off on Thursday.
Karl-Anthony Towns over 41.5 points + rebounds (-105)
The addition of Karl-Anthony Towns has been a game-changer for the Knicks. Unlike last season, Jalen Brunson no longer has to carry New York’s entire offense on his shoulders. The big man was a deserving selection to his fifth career All-Star Game, putting up some of the best numbers of his career. This season, KAT has posted 24.7 points, 13.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 53.4% from the field (43.8 3PT%).
New York’s newest superstar is a threat to go off on any night, regardless of the opponent. However, it certainly helps when playing one of the NBA’s worst defensive units. The Bulls can’t guard anyone down low, surrendering the most points in the paint (55.9) and the third-most rebounds (55.1) per game. In each of Towns’ two meetings with Chicago this season, he’s produced at least 44 points and ten rebounds. The Knicks should make a concerted effort to get KAT the ball against a team he’s dominated previously.
Michael Porter Jr. under 2.5 three-pointers made (+100)
Sometimes player props are all about picking the right name to fade, especially coming off of a week-long break. Michael Porter Jr. started the month of February on fire, generating 30.0 points on 60.0% shooting through four games. However, a hamstring injury has sidelined the forward for over two weeks. Right now, he’s probable for tonight’s contest with the Hornets. As tempting as it is to back the sharpshooter against a bad team, this line might be a trap.
The Hornets, for all their flaws, are competent on defense, especially when guarding the perimeter. Charlotte has allowed the second-lowest three-point percentage (33.9%) and the ninth-fewest three-pointers made per game (13.2) this season. Despite his recent hot streak, Porter Jr. is only averaging 2.7 three-pointers per game. The veteran could also see his minutes restricted in a game that Denver is heavily favored to win. At the end of the day, there are too many red flags to buy into MPJ tonight.
