Nine games are on the docket this evening across the NBA. That means bettors will have 18 different teams to choose from on Thursday. It helps that we’re due for some exciting matchups, as well. In San Antonio, it’s a potential Finals preview between the Pistons and Spurs. Up north, the Raptors visit the Timberwolves in a clash of playoff contenders. To cap things off, Luka and LeBron’s Lakers take on Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets.
Which players are poised to cash in tonight? Here are my three favorite NBA prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Davion Mitchell 8+ points (-130)
Miami’s up-tempo offense has led to several players putting up gaudy counting stats. That’s been the case for Davion Mitchell, albeit in a different manner than most of his teammates. The fifth-year pro has never been much of a scorer. Instead, he’s made his greatest mark this season as a distributor. Through 51 games, the guard is averaging 8.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and a team-leading 6.9 assists. Unsurprisingly, that level of unselfishness has proven invaluable to the Heat. Head coach Erik Spoelstra typically grants the veteran close to 30 minutes per game.
With all that being said, I’m expecting more buckets than usual for Miami’s pass-first point guard. For starters, Norman Powell (groin) remains sidelined, leaving the team without an All-Star in its back court. In addition, the Heat are taking on a lackluster Brooklyn squad on Thursday. The Nets have posted a 120.6 defensive rating since February 1st, third-worst in basketball during that time. Mitchell has notched at least eight points in seven of his last 11 outings. That includes a meeting between these two teams on Tuesday. Another solid scoring output is the expectation tonight.
Devin Booker 25+ points (-110)
The Suns are trying to keep pace without Dillon Brooks (hand) in the loaded Western Conference. So far, the results have been mixed; Phoenix has gone 3-4 over its previous seven contests. With that being said, at least this group rosters one of the sport’s premier talents in Devin Booker. The shooting guard hasn’t been perfect this season, connecting on a career-worst 31% of his three-point attempts. However, he’s still managed to post 24.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.
Thursday presents a golden opportunity for Booker to go off. The Bulls are a mess defensively, allowing the NBA’s fifth-most points per game (120.0). In addition, Chicago’s offense plays at the association’s fourth-quickest pace (101.73). That should speed up a typically deliberate, patient Phoenix squad. Ignoring a nine-minute outing vs. San Antonio, Booker has scored 25+ points in five of seven games without Brooks this season. Another solid showing, against a subpar defense, shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Maxime Raynaud 27+ points + rebounds (-105)
On an otherwise hopeless Kings squad, Maxime Raynaud has shown flashes of greatness this season. The second-round pick began the year without much of a path towards playing time. However, an injury-plagued campaign for Domantas Sabonis has opened up some minutes in the front court. As a result, the Stanford alum has emerged as a daily starter in Sacramento. Over his last 15 games, the center is putting up 14.0 points and 9.5 rebounds along with 63% shooting from the field.
This budding double-double machine now gets a favorable matchup at home. The Pelicans have been atrocious on defense, especially down low. New Orleans has surrendered the seventh-most points in the paint (52.9) and third-most rebounds (55.7) per game to opponents. To make matters worse, Zion Williamson (ankle) is currently listed as questionable. Whether or not the power forward suits up, Raynaud should come through. The Frenchman has tallied 27+ points + rebounds in six of his last nine appearances. There’s a good chance that trend continues tonight.
