On Tuesday, NBA fans were treated to a pair of dramatic play-in tournament matchups. That’s the perfect lead in for tonight’s action, a select two-game Wednesday slate. To kick things off, Tyrese Maxey and the #7 76ers host Paolo Banchero’s #8 Magic. As a nightcap, it’ll be the ninth-seeded Clippers battling the tenth-seeded Warriors in LA.
Which players should bettors be targeting this evening? Here are my two favorite NBA prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Wednesday’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Paolo Banchero 9+ rebounds (-114)
If you’re hesitant to place a wager on Paolo Banchero, I don’t blame you. Orlando’s face of the franchise has been erratic all season, to say the least. Through 72 games, he’s averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists to go with 46/31/78 shooting splits. While the counting numbers are nice, Banchero’s lack of floor spacing is a disappointment at this point in his career. The Duke alum’s somewhat limited offensive skillset could prove difficult in an intense, playoff-like atmosphere such as tonight.
With that being said, scoring isn’t the only way Banchero can make an impact in Philly. The 76ers will be without Joel Embiid, currently sidelined as he recovers from appendicitis. That’s left the team weaker than usual down low. Philadelphia has allowed 57.7 rebounds per game over its last three contests, third-worst in the NBA during that time. In comparison, Banchero has snagged at least nine boards in five of his previous eight meetings with the Sixers. The 6’10” power forward is poised for another quality effort on the glass.
Kristaps Porzingis 7+ rebounds (+115)
One of the biggest blockbusters of the trade deadline saw the Warriors acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Hawks. When healthy, the former All-Star is a legitimate difference-maker. In addition, the stretch five is an ideal fit for a Golden State club that loves shooting threes. Unfortunately, a variety of ailments have held KP back; he’s suited up only 32 times this season. During that time, he’s averaging 16.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 45% from the field and 34% from three. Those statistics, while solid, are below what we’ve come to expect from the Latvian throughout his career.
With that being said, Porzingis has managed to take the floor in eight of Golden State’s last 11 contests. In six of those outings, the big man snagged at least seven rebounds. Keep in mind, head coach Steve Kerr has kept KP’s workload limited, playing anywhere between 20 and 27 minutes a night. A slight boost in that regard wouldn’t be shocking in a do-or-die #9 vs. #10 matchup. To boot, it’s not as if the Clippers excel at boxing out. Post-All-Star break, Los Angeles owns the NBA’s seventh-worst rebounding percentage (48.4%). Right now, 38-year-old Brook Lopez is expected to start at center. At plus money, Porzingis offers plenty of value as a rebounder tonight.
