Wednesday offers up a can’t miss nine-game NBA slate for hoops fans to dive into. That means an assortment of big names taking the floor across the association, with several intriguing matchups. The Spurs, without Victor Wembanyama, will hope to earn a road win over the Magic. Elsewhere, the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons can earn another win over Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks.
With so many teams in action, it’s almost overwhelming for bettors. Which players are poised for a big game? Should you fade any over-priced stars? Here are my three favorite NBA prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for tonight’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Mikal Bridges 16+ points (-108)
In an otherwise disappointing loss to Boston, Mikal Bridges went off. The wing recorded 35 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including eight made three-pointers. Although the Knicks still lost, their under-appreciated wing looks more comfortable in head coach Mike Brown’s offensive scheme. This season, the 29-year-old is averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists to go with 54/44/81 shooting splits. That level of efficiency is key when playing next to high-usage superstars such as Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Bridges will look to add another stellar performance to his resume tonight in New York. The Knicks will host a Charlotte squad that they just beat by 28 last week. This season, the Hornets have allowed the seventh-most points (120.0) and tenth-most three pointers (13.9) per game to opponents. When these squads last met, Bridges notched 18 points over 35 minutes of play. In six of his last eight games, the veteran has tallied at least 14 points. Against a mediocre defense, there’s a good chance he continues that success on Wednesday.
Jalen Johnson 43+ points + rebounds + assists (-114)
The Hawks have stayed afloat in the Eastern Conference, even with Trae Young sidelined. That’s due in large part to the superb all-around skills of Jalen Johnson. This season, the Duke alum has notched 23.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. As the focal point of Atlanta’s offense, JJ has shown no difficulty balancing scoring with distributing. The 6’8″ forward’s size also makes him a matchup nightmare for most defenses. Granted, the 23-year-old isn’t immune from the occasional letdown performance. Regardless, Johnson has become a nightly double-double threat.
Wednesday presents an ideal spot for Atlanta’s franchise cornerstone to dominate. The 5-16 Clippers are in shambles, highlighted by their decision to release Chris Paul. With so much drama unfolding around the roster, this group doesn’t look capable of slowing down an All-NBA talent. Los Angeles has surrendered the ninth-most points (118.8) and 11th-most assists (27.1) per game. Johnson has secured at least 43 points + rebounds + assists in four of his previous five appearances. That bodes well for the forward’s chances at another terrific stat line during tonight’s contest.
Anthony Davis 11+ rebounds (-126)
Break up the Mavericks! Dallas has reeled off two straight wins, including a road victory over Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets. Now, the team will return home for a date with the run-and-gun Miami Heat. The recent turnaround in the Big D can be partially attributed to the return of Anthony Davis. Even at 32 years old, the big man remains one of the most dangerous players in basketball. This season, over seven games played, The Brow has posted 21.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 54% from the field. That’s in addition to his still-superb effort on the defensive end of the floor.
On most nights, the Mavs have a significant advantage over most teams down low. However, Dereck Lively II (foot) is out, while fellow center Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable to play this evening. Even if the latter suits up, there should be more minutes than usual for Davis. It helps that the Heat play at the NBA’s fastest tempo on offense, creating extra possessions for both squads. Opposing teams have hauled in 58.3 rebounds per game vs. Miami, fourth-most in basketball. Against Denver, AD snagged 13 boards. Now, the future Hall of Famer is poised for another impressive outing on the glass.
