The NBA world continues to attempt to wrap its head around the blockbuster trade last night centered around Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis. While the effects of this are sure to be felt in the trade market in the coming days and the outlook of the league moving forward, the show must go on.
It is a light slate of games today with five games tipping off across the night. The action will begin in the afternoon with the Detroit Pistons hosting the Chicago Bulls at 3:00 p.m. ET. A half-hour later, the Cleveland Cavaliers will take on what is left of the Dallas Mavericks. At the same time, the Toronto Raptors will face the Los Angeles Clippers.
At 6:00 p.m. ET, the Philadelphia 76ers will host the Boston Celtics. The final matchup of the slate will take place at 8:30 p.m. ET between the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies.
While there will be busier days of NBA basketball, anything can happen in any given matchup and there is still sure to be some excitement today. With the stage set, here are my favorite prop bets for the Feb. 2 slate of games.
Tyrese Maxey Over 37.5 Points & Assists (-105)
After a bit of an underwhelming start to the season, Tyrese Maxey is amid an absolute tear. The 24-year-old has scored 28 or more points in 13 consecutive games and is averaging 32.3 points, 7.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds across this stretch. He has recorded over 37.5 combined points and assists in nine of these 13 games.
Looking at the season as a whole, Maxey is averaging 27.5 points and 6.1 assists and has recorded over 37.5 combined points and assists in 17 of the 40 games he has played. Injuries have been the story for this Sixers team and will continue to be the case with Paul George and Joel Embiid remaining out today. While Maxey looked bothered by the increased defensive attention due to his missing co-stars at the start of the season, he has settled in and successfully commanded the offense in recent games.
Philadelphia will take on the Boston Celtics tonight. Boston ranks fifth in the league in points allowed and fourth in assists conceded. However, Maxey tallied 33 points and 12 assists in the first matchup with the Celtics with Embiid and George on the floor with him. He will have more on his plate in this matchup and be ready for the challenge. The rising star ranks second in the NBA in minutes and miles traveled as well as fourth in the NBA in individual time of possession and third in touches per game. Maxey sees plenty of the basketball and is making decisions at an extremely high level. Expect him to be at the epicenter of everything the Sixers do offensively and for Maxey to record over 37.5 combined points and assists for the fifth consecutive game.
Guerschon Yabusele Over 1.5 Made Three-Pointers (-115)
While there have been concerns with this Sixers team across the board this season, Guerschon Yabusele has consistently been a bright spot for the organization. The Olympic star has made the most of his second chance in the NBA and has been the most consistent player on the Sixers roster from start to finish this season. Yabusele is averaging 10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists across his 26.4 minutes per game. He is also connecting on 40.0% of his three-point attempts while launching 3.9 perimeter shots per game.
He has seen his role continue to increase as the season has progressed with injuries heavily impacting the team. Across the past 19 games, Yabusele is averaging 30.5 minutes per game and 13.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. While Andre Drummond may make his return tonight after missing 12 of the 14 games with a toe injury, there is still a huge role on the table for Yabusele. He has shown the ability to play power forward alongside Drummond and, if anything, this may create more three-point opportunities for the 29-year-old.
The Boston Celtics launch three-pointers at an NBA-leading rate and the Sixers will need to increase their output to remain in this game. Yabusele is second on the team in three-point percentage and has recorded over 1.5 made three-pointers in 20 games this season, including the previous matchup with the Celtics. Yabusele also connected on 4-of-7 three-point attempts the last time he was on the floor on Friday night. Look for him to build off this and be active from beyond the three-point arc by connecting on at least two perimeter shots tonight as he seeks revenge on his former team and plays in an expanded role.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Under 6.5 Rebounds (-140)
The final game of tonight’s slate will take place between the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks. Both these teams are dealing with some injury issues with Ja Morant headlining the injury report for Memphis. Morant is listed as doubtful for this matchup as he deals with a shoulder injury and has been limited to 28 games this season. Regardless of who is on the floor, expect this to be a tough game for Jaren Jackson Jr. to make his impact felt rebounding the basketball.
So far this season, Jackson is averaging 22.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Throughout his career, he has struggled when asked to be the primary center option and has greatly benefited from being able to play next to Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke and even Jay Huff. Jackson Jr. has been held to under 6.5 rebounds in 31 of the 46 games he has played this season. This includes the previous matchup against the Bucks in which Jackson Jr. was held to just five rebounds.
Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both listed as probable for this game and account for a combined 17.0 rebounds per game between the two of them. Expect both of these Milwaukee frontcourt mates to make a strong impact tonight and for Jackson Jr. to struggle to compete on the glass. The Memphis big man enters this game after being held to under 6.5 rebounds in five consecutive games, so expect tonight to mark the sixth.
Jaylen Wells Over 1.5 Made Three-Pointers (-166)
The Milwaukee Bucks have done an impressive job getting back on track this season but perimeter defense still ranks among their biggest concerns. The Bucks rank 12th in opponent points allowed but 27th in three-point attempts conceded and they allow the 25th-most made three-pointers per game. With Ja Morant listed as doubtful, there should be additional shot opportunities for the rest of the Grizzlies roster, with Jaylen Wells set to be among the biggest beneficiaries.
Wells has started 43 of the 48 games this season and has made a major impact on the Grizzlies. The rookie is averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists across his 26.2 minutes per game. Perimeter shooting is a strength of the Washington State product as he is connecting on 38.7% of his long-range attempts while launching 5.1 per game. This comes out to an average of 2.0 made three-pointers per game and he has connected on over 1.5 made three-pointers in 26 games this season. Wells has eclipsed this number in eight of his past 11 games and is shooting 43.6% from beyond the arc across this period.
With Wells set to receive a larger role if Morant cannot suit up and three-point defense a clear weakness of the Bucks, expect the rookie to make his impact felt in this game. While the -166 odds are a bit steep, and we are sticking to it for the sake of the article, I also think it is worth taking a chance on Wells to connect with at least three three-pointers at +160 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The rookie has reached this number in 12 games this season, including the previous matchup with Milwaukee where he shot 3-for-6 from deep. Count on Wells to step up and be active from beyond the arc by connecting on at least two three-pointers tonight and help carry the offensive load for the shorthanded Grizzlies.
