Six games are on tap for Thursday across the NBA, with 12 different teams in action. The biggest matchup of the night is a battle between old rivals with serious playoff implications. Stephen Curry’s Warriors will visit LeBron James and the Lakers at the Crypto Center for a star-studded nightcap.
With several enticing contests, there are plenty of bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here are three player props catching my eye tonight.
Julius Randle over 18.5 points (-105)
Tuesday saw Nikola Jokic drop a 61-point triple-double against the Timberwolves in front of a national audience. However, it was Minnesota that pulled off a 140-139 double-overtime victory, thanks in large part to Julius Randle. The power forward posted 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists over 50 minutes. It was one of the 30-year-old’s better performances in an up-and-down first season up north. Through 63 games, he’s averaged 18.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 48.2% from the field.
Randle has been on a hot streak, scoring at least 20 points in four of his last five outings. That should continue on Thursday against a Nets squad missing big men Noah Clowney (ankle) and Day’Ron Sharpe (knee). Minnesota’s All-Star has dominated this matchup, scoring at least 19 points in 13 of his last 14 meetings with Brooklyn. There’s no reason to expect anything different from the veteran tonight.
Ryan Rollins over 1.5 three-pointers made (+105)
Damian Lillard (calf) remains out for the Bucks, leaving plenty of available minutes in the back court. Ryan Rollins has taken full advantage of this opportunity, carving out a role for himself on Milwaukee. Over his last seven appearances, the 22-year-old has recorded 12.6 points while shooting 56.4% from the field. During that time, he’s knocked down 50.0% of his 4.3 three-point attempts per game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo demands constant defensive attention, which usually leaves Rollins wide open from deep. It’s no coincidence that the sharpshooter has drained two or more treys in each of his previous four outings. He’ll look to continue that streak on Thursday vs. a hapless 76ers squad. This season, opponents have shot 37.8% from beyond the arc vs. Philadelphia, the second-highest mark in basketball. That number has risen to 43.8% over the team’s last three games. Against an atrocious perimeter defense, Rollins offers value at better than even odds.
Donovan Clingan over 9.5 rebounds (-135)
The Trail Blazers have given their fans reason for optimism; since January 2nd, the team is 22-22. That record comes despite starting center Deandre Ayton (calf) missing half of those contests. In the big man’s absence, Donovan Clingan has spent time in the starting lineup. On the season, the UConn product has averaged 6.1 points and 7.4 rebounds while playing 19.0 minutes per game.
In six of his last ten games, Clingan has hauled in at least ten rebounds. That sets the 21-year-old up nicely for Thursday’s showdown with Toronto. The Raptors have struggled to box out all season, surrendering the fourth-most rebounds per game (53.8) to opponents. Tonight, they won’t have starting center Jakob Poeltl (rest). Without the Austrian, Portland’s talented rookie will feast on the glass.
