The Houston Rockets have emerged as one of the most exciting young cores in the NBA and look ahead of their contending timeline. Jalen Green headlines the youthful roster which sits in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 35-21 record. They have a great chance to pick up another victory tonight as they take on the 13-42 Utah Jazz.
Green has taken another stride forward in his development this season. The 23-year-old is averaging 21.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He also is shooting a career-best 35.2% from beyond the three-point arc while attempting 8.2 perimeter shots per game.
The Rockets enter tonight’s matchup as 8.5-point favorites and are -380 on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Jazz are +300 underdogs on the Moneyline with the game total set at 226.
Houston will be without Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason, Steven Adams, Jae’Sean Tate, and Cody Zeller for this matchup. Utah will be without Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, while Lauri Markkanen and John Collins are listed as questionable.
With the stage set, here are my favorite Jalen Green prop bets ahead of the Saturday night matchup.
Best Jalen Green Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Jalen Green’s props are listed at over/under 23.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 made three-pointers and 31.5 combined points, rebounds and assists.
Jalen Green Over 3.5 Assists (-140)
The stats do not paint him in the most glowing light with Green averaging just 3.0 assists per game, which is the fewest since his rookie year. However, there have been some encouraging signs in his processing of the game.
Without Fred VanVleet in the lineup, and the team-leading 5.8 assists he provides, more playmaking responsibility falls on Green’s shoulders. Across the past eight games with VanVleet sidelined, Green is averaging 4.3 assists and has recorded over 3.5 assists in six of these eight games. On the season overall, Green has recorded four or more assists in 22 games.
Utah struggles defensively which should make life easier for Green as a playmaker and for the Rockets’ offense overall. The Jazz rank 28th in the NBA in points allowed, 27th in opponents assists, and 26th in opponents field goal percentage.
Expect Green to lead the Rockets offense and have success creating for others. The Jazz will have no clear answer for his high level of athleticism and expect him to have success getting into the paint and kicking out to his teammates. This will be the first matchup between these two teams this season, but look for Green’s recent success as a playmaker to carry over and for him to tally over 3.5 assists tonight.
Jalen Green to Record 4+ Made Three-Pointers (+135)
When analyzing Utah’s defense, the ability to defend the perimeter is right at the top of the list of their biggest weaknesses. The Jazz rank last in the league in opponents’ three-point attempts allowed, conceding 40.6 long-range attempts per game.
Green leads the Rockets with 8.2 three-point attempts per game. He is connecting at a 35.2% rate which comes out to an average of 2.9 perimeter makes per game. He has recorded four or more three-pointers in 22 games this season.
The standard three-point prop for Green is set at 2.5 with the over favored at -145 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. He has connected on three or more long-range shots in 31 of the 56 games he has played this year. While I like this bet as well, look towards him to take his production a step further with Utah’s perimeter weakness in mind.
Green shot 5-for-11 from beyond the three-point arc last night against the Minnesota Timberwolves and shot 4-for-15 from beyond the arc against the Suns two games prior. The former second-overall pick has free reign to seek out whatever shots he sees fit and look for him to capitalize on the weak perimeter defense of the Jazz. Take advantage of the +135 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook and expect Green to be ready to let it fly in this matchup.
