Over the last two weeks, there have been fewer NBA games than usual, owing to the knockout stages of the Emirates NBA Cup, which concluded last Tuesday. No team has benefited more from the de-densified schedule than the Los Angeles Lakers, whose time off has allowed oft-injured co-stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to preserve their bodies. The Lakers have won three consecutive games and have climbed out of the play-in tournament places. Los Angeles will try to make it four tonight as it hosts the Detroit Pistons for a 10:30 p.m. ET clash at Crypto.com Arena.
In previous seasons, Davis was the Robin to LeBron’s Batman, but this season, their roles have switched. Davis is having his second-best season in California, averaging 26.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game on 52-30-78 splits.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Lakers are six-point favorites and the point total is set to 221. Below, I’ve highlighted my favorite prop bets centered around The Brow.
Best Anthony Davis Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Anthony Davis U12.5 Rebounds (+105)
After getting off to a decent start, the Pistons have really struggled in their last 10 games, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Detroit has allowed 121.5 points per game over its last 10 games, the most of any team in the NBA.
However, Detroit has still been really good at cleaning the glass. Over their last 10 games, the Pistons have allowed opponents to snag just 42.6 rebounds per game, fewer than all but seven teams, and they have snagged 50.1% of all available boards. Davis is a great rebounder who has grabbed 16, 19, and 15 boards, respectively, in his past three games, but the Lakers’ November 4 win over Detroit was one of just seven games so far this season in which The Brow did not record double-digit rebounds.
Anthony Davis O2.5 Blocks (+120)
This one isn’t so much about a Pistons weakness as it is about a Los Angeles strength. Detroit has only allowed 4.9 blocked shots per game, the 12th-lowest rate in the league, so it’s not like the Pistons are a particularly great matchup for Davis to record tons of blocks.
However, the Lakers have turned over a new leaf since inserting defensive specialist Max Christie into the starting lineup. In the five games since the personnel switch, Los Angeles has struggled to score, with a league-worst 103.1 offensive rating, and excelled in defense, with a league-best 99.2 defensive rating. Over that span, the Lakers rank second with 7.2 blocks and 9.8 steals per game.
Davis, individually, is peaking at the right time. His two most prolific blocking performances have come in the last five games, with a five-block performance against the Portland Trail Blazers and a six-block outing against the Sacramento Kings.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
