Seven games are set to tip-off this evening across the NBA. Fortunately for hoops fans, there are plenty of quality matchups to choose from. To kick things off, it’s a pivotal Southeast Division showdown between the Heat and Hornets. Later, Jalen Brunson’s Knicks battle Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets in Denver. To cap things off, the re-tooling Clippers clash with the Spurs.
Which players should bettors be targeting tonight? Here are my three favorite NBA prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Coby White 13+ points (-117)
In one of the more underrated moves of the trade deadline, Charlotte brought aboard Coby White. The former Bulls standout is, if nothing else, a true bucket-getter. Through 33 games this season, White is averaging 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists. In addition, he’s shooting 44% from the field and 35% from three-point range. With that being said, those numbers have taken a hit with his new squad. In four games with the Hornets, the guard has seen his minutes go from 29.1 to 18.3 a night.
White’s inconsistent workload might make this the perfect time to buy low. After all, he’s maintained a superb 30.0% usage rate in Charlotte, even greater than his time in Chicago (27.4%). The 26-year-old has notched 17 and 20 points respectively over his last two outings. Now, he’ll get a chance to do so again vs. a mediocre Miami defense. The Heat are allowing the NBA’s 11th-most points (116.6) and tenth-most three-pointers made (13.7) per game. Their league-leading pace could also force a slowed-down Hornets offense into more possessions. At this reasonable 13-point total, White is worth a closer look on Friday.
Karl-Anthony Towns 12+ rebounds (+105)
An up-and-down campaign for Karl-Anthony Towns has often left fans and bettors alike disappointed. Unlike in seasons past, the big man has struggled to find consistency from beyond the arc. Through 59 games, he’s shooting 37% from three-point range. That’s not a bad mark by any means, but it’s not what we’ve come to expect from the All-Star. Regardless, KAT still manages to help out the Knicks in a number of different ways. He’s managed to haul in 11.8 rebounds per game; that mark is behind only Nikola Jokic (12.6 REB).
Speaking of The Joker, New York will head to Colorado for a showdown with the three-time MVP. Towns has done surprisingly well throughout his career when it comes to defending Jokic. If (big if) he stays out of foul trouble, the seven-footer should log 35+ minutes tonight. KAT has snagged at least 12 boards in four of his last five meetings with the Nuggets. Denver, on the second leg of a back-to-back, could tire out down the stretch as well. All signs are pointing to another terrific day on the glass for this elite Knicks center.
Donovan Clingan under 23.5 points + rebounds (-105)
Few teams have flown more under the radar than Portland. The Blazers, despite a rocky start, remain in contention for a Western Conference play-in spot. It helps that this roster is young, seemingly getting better with each passing week. No player is more emblematic of this than Donovan Clingan. The second-year pro entered the NBA as a defensively-minded big with a shaky offensive skillset. While the former is still his bread and butter, Clingan is emerging as a more reliable scorer. This season, he’s recorded 11.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the field.
Portland’s double-double machine is capable of delivering a monster stat line on any given night. However, I’m skeptical that will be the case on Friday. The Rockets, even without Steven Adams (ankle) down low, wield a formidable defense. Houston is allowing the third-fewest rebounds (49.4) and 11th-fewest points in the paint (48.8) to opponents this season. Clingan has notched 24+ points + rebounds only four times over his last nine appearances. He also fell short of this total when these teams last met on January 9th. I’m willing to bet that history repeats itself this evening.
