We’re just two games into the NBA season, and almost every team has taken the court. Just two squads, the Pacers and Nuggets, have yet to touch the hardwood. Now, they’ll get their chance to do so in primetime. It’ll be a Finals rematch for Indiana, hosting the reigning champion Thunder. As for Denver, an intriguing road trip against Steph Curry’s Warriors.
Even on a select two-game slate, there’s value to be had for bettors. Which players should you back during Thursday’s marquee matchups?
Here are two of the top prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for tonight’s NBA action.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Andrew Nembhard over 13.5 points (-104)
Tonight’s version of the Pacers will look much different than what we saw in June. Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) is out for the season, while backup guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is also sidelined. That leaves Indiana’s backcourt in a state of flux. If anyone can provide some stability, it’s Andrew Nembhard. The fourth-year pro has emerged as a reliable contributor for head coach Rick Carlisle. Through 65 games last season, he posted 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
On this short-handed Pacers team, Nembhard will need to take on a larger workload. Over 43 career games played without Haliburton, the Gonzaga alum has averaged 13.0 points. Granted, reaching that threshold could prove difficult against a tenacious Oklahoma City defense. However, the Thunder will be without two of their best defenders, Jalen Williams (wrist) and Alex Caruso (concussion). That should make things far easier on Nembhard tonight. Indiana’s lead ball handler should find success as a scorer in this one.
Nikola Jokic over 20.5 assists + rebounds (-115)
Following a difficult seven-game series loss to OKC, the Nuggets retooled this summer. All of Denver’s new pieces were brought in with one thing in mind: how do they fit alongside Nikola Jokic? At this point, there isn’t much the center can’t do on offense. Last season, he averaged an eye-popping 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists on 58/42/80 shooting splits. That kind of production puts the Serbian in elite company throughout NBA history.
Clearly, the Joker can destroy defenses in a number of different ways. That’s true even of tonight’s opponent, the Warriors. Denver’s face of the franchise has enjoyed plenty of success in this matchup before. In five of his previous eight games against Golden State, Jokic has tallied at least 21 combined assists + rebounds. I’d expect the Dubs to aggressively double-team the big man, leading to plenty of dimes. On the glass, it’s difficult to see him getting bottled up by 39-year-old Al Horford. Another stat-stuffing performance feels inevitable for Jokic to open up the new season.
