The weekend is here, which means high-quality basketball is on tap tonight. Six games between 12 teams across the NBA are scheduled for Saturday. That includes several superstars expected to take the floor, including Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama.
Ahead of this evening’s hoops action, which names should bettors be targeting for their player props? On the flip side, is there anyone worth fading at their current price? Here are my three favorite prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for tonight’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Alex Sarr 18+ points (-124)
Anyone playing for the perpetually rebuilding Wizards will fly under the radar. Still, the leap Alex Sarr is making shouldn’t go unnoticed. The second-year pro has been a force this season, living up to his lofty potential. Through nine games, he’s averaging 19.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists. The Frenchman has also shot an efficient 55% from the field and 39% from three-point range, a major issue for him as a rookie. On a Washington club lacking a go-to scorer, Sarr is emerging as the team’s top option.
If that’s the case, the youngster’s floor for production has risen on any given night. That includes Saturday’s matchup against the struggling Mavericks. Dallas has allowed the most rebounds (64.0) and second-most points in the paint (56.9) per game. Without centers Anthony Davis (calf) and Dereck Lively II (knee), this team has minimal rim protection. Sarr has notched at least 19 points in each of his previous three outings. Against a banged-up opponent, there’s no reason to think he can’t do so again tonight.
Nikola Vucevic 2+ three-pointers made (-139)
The upstart Bulls hit a speed bump on Friday, losing 126-110 to the Bucks. Still, there’s plenty to be excited about in the Windy City. That includes the play of franchise mainstay Nikola Vucevic. Even at 35 years old, the veteran remains a threat on offense. Over eight games, he’s recorded 18.9 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while posting 58/50/84 shooting splits. That level of efficiency is difficult to come by, especially from beyond the arc. The big man currently ranks second on the team in points per game.
For years, Vucci Mane has ranked among the NBA’s best shooting big men. This season, he’s averaging 2.1 made three-pointers per game. Granted, his 50% clip is bound to hit some regression eventually. That may not occur on Saturday, however. Chicago will travel to Cleveland for Saturday’s pivotal Eastern Conference showdown. One thing the Cavaliers have struggled to do so far is guarding the perimeter. That’s likely to be exacerbated with defensively-limited point guard Darius Garland healthy. Cleveland has allowed opponents to knock down 16.6 three-pointers per game, the worst mark in basketball. Vucevic, not looking to contest Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, should prioritize spacing the floor. Expect the center to fire away in this one.
Trey Murphy under 27.5 points + rebounds (-120)
Another disappointing campaign is well underway in New Orleans. The continued absence of Zion Williamson (hamstring) has only made things worse on the bayou. It’s not as if the Pelicans have no NBA-quality talent. Several players on the roster are coveted by other clubs, including Trey Murphy. The Virginia alum ranks among the association’s top three-and-D wings. However, his contributions don’t always show up in the box score. This season, the forward has posted 14.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. That’s despite lackluster shooting splits (38/36/94).
Saturday isn’t the best spot for a Murphy ‘get-right’ game; the Spurs wield one of basketball’s stingiest defenses. Teams are only averaging 109.6 points per game against them, the lowest mark in the association. With Victor Wembanyama down low, San Antonio has held opponents to 47.0 rebounds per game, third-fewest in the NBA. Murphy has gone over 27.5 points + rebounds only once over eight appearances this season. It’s difficult to envision that changing tonight, even with no Zion.
