The most widely anticipated matchup of tonight’s NBA slate will be between the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers. Jalen Green and company will host the Eastern Conference leaders who have held the best record in the NBA from start to finish this season.
This will be a measuring stick matchup for the Rockets who hold a 28-14 on the season and sit in second place in the conference. Jalen Green has had a bit of an up-and-down start to his NBA career, but was rewarded with a contract extension this offseason and has shown some positive signs this season. Green is averaging 21.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Cleveland continues to hold their place of the best record in the Eastern Conference and sits at 36-6 on the year. This will be the first matchup between these two teams this season.
The Cavaliers enter this game as two-point favorites and -135 on the Moneyline. The Rockets hold +114 odds on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 228.
Here are my favorite Jalen Green prop bets for the Wednesday night matchup.
Best Jalen Green Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Green’s props are listed at over/under 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 made three-pointers and 29.5 combined points, rebounds and assists.
Jalen Green Over 21.5 Points (-125)
Green is averaging 21.5 points per game on the season but things have especially clicked for him in recent games. There has never been a question about the talent level of Green, but his decision-making and shot selection left something to be desired at times. This has not been the case in recent games. Across the past nine matchups, Green is averaging 29.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He is shooting 52.5% from the floor and 48.8% on three-point attempts across this period compared to 43.6% from the floor and 36.0% from beyond the three-point arc on the season.
While Cleveland is viewed as a defensive-minded team, the numbers do not quite back this up. They rank 11th in the NBA in opponents’ points allowed, 10th in opponents’ field goal percentage, and 21st in opponents three-point percentage. The defense will also take a notable hit in this matchup as Evan Mobley is set to miss this game with a calf injury.
Overall, Green has recorded over 21.5 points in 20 of the 42 games. He has reached this number in nine of his past ten games. The lone matchup that he did not reach this total he finished with 19 points on 21 shots. Expect Green to be in attack mode tonight and for him to continue his hot streak of scoring against a Cavaliers team without their top defender. Look for him to record over 21.5 points for the 21st time this season with plenty of eyes on him.
Jalen Green Over 2.5 Made Three-Pointers (-115)
This season Green is shooting 36.0% from beyond the three-point arc while launching 8.0 perimeter shots per game. This is slightly above his career average of 34.1% on 7.3 attempts per game.
When identifying the weakness in the Cavaliers’ defense, their perimeter defense stands at the top of the list. Cleveland makes a conscious effort to funnel opposing ball handlers toward Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen who serve as high-level rim protectors and each rank in the top 30 in blocks on the season. However, Cleveland is allowing opponents to shoot 36.6% from beyond the three-point arc this season which ranks 21st in the league.
Green is never shy to let it fly from the perimeter with over 40% of his scoring production coming from beyond the three-point arc. He is averaging 2.9 made three-pointers per game and has made over 2.5 three-pointers in 23 of the 42 games he has played. This includes eight of his past nine games.
Expect the Cavaliers’ defense to have some growing pains without Evan Mobley on the floor. He is the anchor for everything they do defensively and the roles of the rest of the team will be altered without him. Look for Green to seek out these opportunities and be ready to connect on the perimeter chances he receives. Count on the Rockets star to knock down at least three three-pointers and be ready to be in attack mode from start to finish in this matchup.
