The NBA has eight games on the scoreboard this Saturday, highlighted by a nice doubleheader on NBA TV. After the Celtics and Timberwolves tip things off at 5:00 p.m. ET, the second game of the doubleheader features the New Orleans Pelicans visiting the Golden State Warriors at 8:30 p.m. ET. The matchup isn’t as juicy as some of the other matchups on the board this Saturday, but there are still some great player props to target with interesting injury scenarios on both sides of this Western Conference matchup. Let’s take a look at that matchup and find some fun player prop bets to consider to finish off the doubleheader with some solid player prop bets from these two teams.
In the bigger picture, on DraftKings Sportsbook, the Warriors are 8.5-point home favorites, with the game total set at O/U 226.5 points.
The Warriors have been a team of turmoil, but at 10-10, they have a much better record than the 3-16 Pelicans. New Orleans has dropped 10 of its last 11 games, but it did get a win this week by beating the Bulls. The Warriors have dropped four of their last five games, with their win coming against the Jazz. Golden State will also be without Stephen Curry (quad) for a week, so it’ll be adjusting to his absence after he was injured on Wednesday against Houston.
Let’s dive in and hunt down some top player prop bets that look like good spots to attack this Saturday night.
Warriors vs. Pelicans Best Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Will Richard 10+ points (-107)
Richard is one of several Warriors who should pick up more work with Steph out for the next few games. When Curry missed three games earlier this season, Richard had 30 points, 12 points and 15 points. In the last game Steph missed, though, Richard didn’t have any points in his 18 minutes, even though he did get the start.
The rookie out of Florida had 18 points on Wednesday while helping to pick up the work after Curry left, and he has hit double-digit points in five of his last 12 games (eight starts).
Richard will have a very favorable matchup against the porous Pelicans defense, and I think he’ll get to 10 points relatively easily, so I’m happy to get it at just about even money. I also like playing his points or PRA (points, rebounds and assists) as a ladder on Saturday, using his 12+ points at +172, 15+ points at +388 and even 20+ points at +1280.
Jimmy Butler over 1.5 steals (+115)
Butler is another player whose usage should climb without Curry, but his points props have all been pretty priced up. Instead, I’m taking Butler to continue playing tough defense, especially in this good matchup against the Pelicans.
Butler has multiple steals in eight of his last nine games and had three steals in 31 minutes against the Pelicans when these two teams met in New Orleans.
As usual, Butler has been very vocal and expressive about his team’s recent struggles, and one way he can lead by example is by stepping up on both ends of the floor while Steph is out. I’m not sure we’ll quite get “Playoff Jimmy,” but we should get something close, and I think he’ll have multiple steals against the Pelicans to go over this player prop.
Saddiq Bey 15+ Points (+108)
On the Pelicans’ side of things, the team already ruled out Jordan Poole (quad) and Herbert Jones (calf), with Trey Murphy III (elbow) also listed questionable.
Bey has scored at least 18 points in each of his last three games while starting in place of Jones. He also had 15+ points in four of five games earlier in November while filling in for Zion Williamson, so he has proven that he can make the most of expanded opportunities.
If Murphy is out, Bey could get even more work, and I love getting him at plus-money to score 15 points. If you want an even more aggressive play for Bey, you can take him to record a fourth straight double-double at +544 or take him to post 25+ Points and Rebounds at +214.
