Seven games are kicking off across today’s NBA slate. The action will begin in the afternoon, starting with a 1:30 p.m. ET tip-off between the Atlanta Hawks and the Indiana Pacers and building up to the late matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.
There are plenty of ways to get involved in the action across DraftKings Sportsbook. This article will look at my three favorite NBA prop bets across tonight’s slate.
Jaylon Tyson Over 22.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists (-126)
The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Jaylon Tyson with the 20th overall pick in last year’s NBA draft. After seeing limited opportunities in his rookie season, Tyson has had his breakout this year. On the season overall, the 23-year-old is averaging 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in 27.8 minutes per night. He has seen his level of opportunity expand even further of late, playing 30+ minutes in each of the last five games and averaging 30.8 minutes per game across the past eight matchups. Tyson is averaging 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists across this stretch.
While his level of play has earned him an expanded role regardless, this could further be the case with Sam Merrill and De’Andre Hunter each listed as questionable. Tyson has outplayed the two as of late anyway, but if one or both are to miss, he will step into an even more significant role. The Cavaliers will be facing off against the Magic tonight. Orlando is tied for 15th in the NBA in opponent points allowed and 14th in defensive rating.
This is also the second consecutive matchup between these two Eastern Conference opponents. Tyson finished with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in Saturday’s matchup (26 PRA). Expect the standout forward to maintain his level of importance in the team’s production in the same matchup today. Tyson has tallied over 22.5 combined points, rebounds and assists in five consecutive games leading into tonight and count on him to maintain this.
LeBron James Over 6.5 Assists (-142)
It has been a turbulent season for LeBron James and the Lakers. Across his 27 games played, the 21-time All-Star is averaging 22.3 points, 6.9 assists and 6.0 rebounds. While the numbers have fluctuated a bit throughout the year, James has shown an overall increased willingness to play with a pass-first mindset this season. He is averaging 11.8 potential assists per game on the season, as well as 7.3 assists and 13.3 potential assists per game in the month of January.
Expect this to carry into tonight as the Lakers face off with the Bulls. Chicago enters this matchup ranking 26th in opponent points per game, 24th in defensive rating and 27th in opponent assists per game. This matchup has the highest over/under out of tonight’s games, and expect plenty of points to be put on the board.
Expect James to be at the epicenter of this production, especially with Austin Reaves remaining sidelined. James has tallied over 6.5 assists in seven of his last 10 games. This is his first matchup of the season against the Bulls, and count on the Lakers star taking full advantage of this vulnerable Chicago defense. The Bulls will leave plenty to be desired on the defensive end, and count on James capitalizing by setting up off-ball cutters. Count on him recording over 6.5 assists for the 14th time this season and the eighth time in his past 11 matchups.
Jrue Holiday Over 17.5 Points & Assists (-103)
The Trail Blazers will face off with the Celtics tonight, marking Jrue Holiday’s return to Boston for the first time since the offseason trade. Holiday has battled some injury issues with his new team, playing just 18 total games, but he has overall impressed when he has been on the floor. The two-time NBA champion is averaging 15.4 points and 7.1 assists in just 28.8 minutes per game. He has recorded over 17.5 combined points and assists in 13 of his 18 games played.
It is worth keeping in mind that Holiday will likely continue to be on a minutes limit as he returns from his calf issue. Tonight will be his seventh game back on the floor after nearly a two-month absence. However, he played 22:20 of game action in the previous game, which marks the most he has played since he returned from injury. It has also not taken much time for him to make an impact. Holiday had 21 points and seven assists in the previous game and has tallied over 17.5 combined points and assists in back-to-back games despite the minutes limit.
Expect Holiday to be eager to produce against his former teammates. These teams already faced off in Portland, but Holiday was injured for this matchup, so this will mark his one and only chance on the season. While Boston has played high-level basketball of late, it has given up the most assists to point guards across the past 15 days. The Trail Blazers have turned a corner as a franchise, climbing to 23-23 on the year. Expect Holiday to continue helping elevate the offense and put his imprint on this matchup. Count on the two-time All-Star recording over 17.5 combined points and assists for the third straight game and 14th time on the season against his former team.
