The weekend is here, which means basketball action is on tap across the NBA. Nine games between 18 teams make up today’s jam-packed slate. That means ample options for bettors to get in a few wagers, as well. With that being said, quantity doesn’t always equal quantity. Making the right pick can be difficult with so many potential pitfalls.
Which players should you be targeting this evening? Here are my three favorite NBA prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Saturday’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Collin Gillespie 3+ three-pointers made (-125)
The Suns going from afterthought to playoff contenders has been a shock. Their strength is depth, wielding several high-quality rotation pieces that aren’t exactly household names. One under the radar player is Villanova alum Collin Gillespie. The third-year pro is enjoying a career-best campaign, carving out a starting role in the desert. Through 41 games, the guard is averaging 13.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists. There’s a chance Devin Booker (ankle) can’t suit up on Saturday. That would mean even more touches for the rest of Phoenix’s backcourt.
Fading the Knicks from beyond the arc has been a go-to move this season. There’s no reason to change things now, even with Booker hurt. New York is allowing 14.6 three-pointers made per game, third-most in the NBA. If the Suns are going to keep pace with an elite offense, they might need to fire away from deep. Gillespie has knocked down at least three treys in 24 of his 41 outings. Equipped with a potentially larger role this evening, there’s no reason to think he can’t do so again.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 38+ points + assists (-110)
Superstars aren’t always a go-to when prop hunting. The most popular players tend to attract plenty of attention from the betting public. Still, there are some occasions in which big names are impossible to ignore. That’s the case on Saturday for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The reigning MVP is enjoying yet another phenomenal year with the defending champion Thunder. Over 40 games, he’s recorded 31.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 55% from the field (39% 3PT).
SGA is usually a good bet to deliver a prolific stat line. Still, 38+ points + assists isn’t exactly a slam-dunk. Fortunately for Oklahoma City, tonight’s contest could lend itself to plenty of points. The Heat operate at the NBA’s fastest pace on offense (104.2), creating extra possessions for their opponents. Unsurprisingly, Miami is giving up the ninth-most points (117.8) and fifth-most assists (27.7) per game. Gilgeous-Alexander has surpassed this total in over half of his appearances this season. Don’t be shocked if he does so again on Saturday.
Alex Sarr 8+ rebounds (-102)
Washington is in a rut, trending towards another last-place finish. However, there are a few reasons for fans to be optimistic. Alex Sarr, last season’s second overall pick, is beginning to live up to his potential. This season, the Frenchman has accounted for 16.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. That’s despite averaging just under 28 minutes a night. Despite his limited playing time, Sarr has shown he can rack up counting stats in a hurry.
The Nuggets come into tonight’s contest missing both Nikola Jokic (knee) and Jonas Valanciunas (calf). As a result, their presence in the paint is extremely limited. That should have Sarr and the rest of Washington’s frontcourt licking their chops. Over its previous three contests, Denver has surrendered an NBA-worst 58.7 rebounds per game. In comparison, Sarr has tallied at least eight boards in 17 of his 31 outings. The 20-year-old has a prime opportunity to reach that mark yet again in this one.
