Tuesday offers up several intriguing matchups across the NBA. Joel Embiid’s 76ers visit the surprisingly competitive Bulls in a battle of 5-1 squads. Elsewhere, the Magic take on the Hawks in what could be a potential playoff preview. As a nightcap, the defending champion Thunder will hope to earn a road win over the Clippers.
What this slate lacks in quantity, it certainly makes up for in quality. On a night of high-level hoops, who is due for a big game? Which players might struggle under the bright lights? Here are my three favorite prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Tuesday’s six-game NBA slate.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Joel Embiid 20+ points (-120)
Philadelphia’s hot start has come without Joel Embiid at his best. The former MVP has been on a strict minutes limit in all four of his appearances this season. In early November, it’s difficult to see that strategy changing for a team with playoff aspirations. Still, the superstar remains one of basketball’s most terrifying centers. The seven-time All-Star is averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 46.0% from the field.
Embiid is such a talented scorer that he doesn’t need to play 30+ minutes to stay productive. That’s especially true against an inferior opponent. The upstart Bulls have been stingy on the defensive end. However, the team is exploitable down low, with veteran Nikola Vucevic offering limited rim protection. This season, Chicago is allowing 55.3 points per game in the paint, fifth-worst in the NBA. Expect Philly’s face of the franchise to surpass this modest total tonight.
Goga Bitadze 5+ rebounds (-140)
The Magic have looked shaky to start the season, but this team’s defensive identity remains strong. That’s due in part to a deep bench filled with pests. Among those names, Goga Bitadze literally stands out. The 6’11”, 250-pound center is a bruising matchup for most opposing bigs. Despite his offensive limitations, the seventh-year pro helps Orlando’s offense thanks to his skills on the glass. This season, he’s averaging 5.7 rebounds in just 18.0 minutes per game.
Inconsistent usage makes it difficult for bettors to truly trust Bitadze. However, Tuesday’s contest could be the perfect spot for a handful of boards. The Hawks aren’t the best at boxing out, allowing 57.9 rebounds per game to opponents. That’s the NBA’s ninth-worst mark this season. During eight of his previous nine games against Atlanta, Bitadze has recorded at least five rebounds. That’s despite playing less than 20 minutes in several of those outings. Orlando’s underrated big man should make his presence felt off the bench in this one.
James Harden under 21.5 points (-104)
There are a few worrying signs for the Clippers this season. James Harden hasn’t been one of them. The veteran, for all his flaws, is still one of the NBA’s premier stat-stuffers. Through six games, he’s posted 23.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 9.0 assists. During his most recent appearance, last night vs. Miami, the Beard notched 29 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. That level of all-around production is rare for any guard, let alone a 36-year-old.
Given Harden’s hot start, it feels wrong to suddenly fade him this evening. That’s due primarily to Los Angeles’ opponents on Tuesday. The Thunder are stifling on defense, holding teams to the third-fewest points per game in basketball (109.7). In comparison, this Clippers offense is scoring the association’s fourth-fewest points per game (112.5). Since joining LA, Harden has reached 22 points only once in six games against OKC. It’s difficult to see that changing tonight given the lack of talent surrounding the veteran on offense.
