The first Sunday of the new NBA season includes a couple of games in the afternoon and seven games starting at 6:00 p.m. ET or later. It’s a great group of 14 teams to consider if you’re looking for some NBA player prop bets for the evening.
Most teams are playing their third game of the season, so we’re starting to get an idea of what to expect from rotations, looking for trends and totals to target. Who should you back during Sunday’s NBA slate?
Here are my top three NBA player prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for tonight’s NBA action.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Kon Knueppel over 11.5 points (-115)
The Hornets are in D.C. to face the Wizards, and they’ll be without Brandon Miller (shoulder), who left Saturday after just nine minutes (hope you had early exit protection from DraftKings). Miller will join Grant Williams (knee) and Josh Green (shoulder) on the sidelines, leaving lots of extra work on the wing for rookie Kon Knueppel.
Knueppel was the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s draft, and he started his NBA debut on Wednesday. He only played 26 minutes but hit 4-of-6 shots and 3-of-4 three-point attempts, finishing with 11 points. He moved to the bench for Saturday’s game but actually played more minutes after Miller’s early departure. Knueppel hit three more 3-pointers and had 14 points in the loss to the 76ers.
With Miller out, Knueppel will likely re-enter the starting lineup, and in this potentially high-scoring matchup, he should be a good pick to get at least 12 points. If you’re looking for a spicier Knueppel play, the rookie to hit 3+ three-pointers for a third straight game is +168.
Jrue Holiday 25+ Points + Rebounds + Assists (+121)
The Trail Blazers lost to the Timberwolves on Wednesday before knocking off the Warriors on Friday. After a day off, they’ll be back in action against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
Jrue Holiday has been very active and involved in both of Portland’s first two games of the season after joining the team via trade from the Celtics this past offseason. Holiday has started both games and has taken a big role in the offense.
The veteran had 14 points, seven assists, six rebounds and 27 PRA (Points + Rebounds + Assists) in 33 minutes against Minnesota while taking 15 field-goal attempts. On Friday, he had 12 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and 28 PRA in 28 minutes.
After 27 and 28 PRA, getting him to have 25 PRA at plus-money feels like a great player prop to attack, especially since he has a 23.7% usage rate in his two games with the Blazers, after under 17% usage in each of the last two seasons in Boston. With more offensive responsibility, he should be able to continue to post strong numbers across the board.
Zach LaVine under 2.5 assists (+125)
The Kings host the Lakers in the last game of the night, and while there are lots of fun storylines around Luka Doncic (finger, questionable) and his incredibly hot start to the season, the prop I like the most is on the other side of this matchup and has to do with Zach LaVine.
LaVine is listed questionable due to illness, but if he plays, I think he’ll stay under three assists. With Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk all in the mix in the backcourt, LaVine hasn’t been tasked with as much playmaking responsibility.
He played 35 minutes on Wednesday and had just one assist against the Suns, and he played 37 minutes on Friday with just one assist against the Jazz.
Last year, LaVine averaged 3.8 assists per game in 32 games for the Kings, but with a new-look backcourt, he hasn’t been dealing as many helpers this year. Since this line is under 2.5, I like getting it at plus-money, especially since his minutes could be limited by his illness if he is active.
