Don’t look now, but only a handful of weeks remain in the NBA regular season. Seven games are set to tip off on Tuesday, with 14 teams in action. Among the matchups to watch, the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers visit the scrappy Orlando Magic. Later on, Luka Doncic faces his old squad for the first time when the Lakers host the Mavericks. 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.
De’Aaron Fox over 11.5 assists + rebounds (-110)
A blood clot has ended Victor Wembanyama’s season early, leaving the Spurs without their franchise cornerstone. In the big man’s absence, De’Aaron Fox is poised to take on a larger role in San Antonio’s offense. The guard, acquired from Sacramento at the start of February, has been solid so far for the Spurs. Over eight games with his new team, Fox has averaged 21.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists.
The Spurs will face one of the NBA’s worst defenses on Tuesday. This season, the Pelicans have allowed the third-most rebounds (55.1) and the fourth-most assists (28.7) per game to opponents. Fox has recorded at least 12 combined assists + rebounds in each of his last four meetings with New Orleans. Without Wemby to command touches, San Antonio’s All-Star point guard should be an active presence in tonight’s contest.
Brandin Podziemski over 13.5 points (-120)
For the first time in months, there’s optimism surrounding Golden State. The Warriors have won five of their last six games, in large part due to the trade for Jimmy Butler. However, that’s not the only reason for the team’s sudden turnaround. Second-year pro Brandin Podziemski has emerged as someone head coach Steve Kerr can rely on. The guard has posted 18.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game during his last three appearances.
The Butler deal cost the Warriors much of their depth, opening up minutes to several less experienced options. That includes Podziemski, who has now emerged as a starter. For tonight, the Hornets are a surprisingly decent defense, allowing the 15th-fewest points per game this season (112.8). Still, that probably isn’t enough to fend off a red-hot offense on the road. As one of Golden State’s most important players, Podziemski should stay on the court long enough to clear this modest line.
Mark Williams under 13.5 points (-120)
Following a failed trade with the Lakers, Mark Williams remains a member of the Hornets. From a production standpoint, it’s not the worst place for the big man to be. A limited depth chart at center should ensure plenty of minutes. On offense, nobody other than LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges is capable of scoring consistently. This season, Williams has averaged 15.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. However, injures have limited the 23-year-old to just 25 appearances.
If Charlotte’s young center is going to get back on track, it probably won’t be tonight. As previously mentioned, the Warriors are playing inspired basketball on both ends of the floor right now. This season, Golden State has surrendered the second-fewest points in the paint per game (45.3). In addition, Williams has suited up for less than 30 minutes in each of his last two outings. Another evening with a less strenuous workload would make it tough for the big man to put up points.
