Just two games make up today’s select NBA slate. To kick things off, the Magic visit the Suns in a battle of postseason hopefuls. As a nightcap, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat battle Steph Curry’s Warriors in a star-studded affair. Even without a loaded selection of matchups, there’s several player props catching my eye this evening.
There are plenty of ways to get involved in the action on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here is a look at my two favorite player prop bets for Thursday night’s NBA matchups.
Best NBA Prop Bets Today
Tristan da Silva 3+ three-pointers made (+104)
As is usually the case, Orlando is searching for buckets. That’s especially true with face of the franchise Paolo Banchero sidelined due to an ankle sprain. Making matters worse, guard Jalen Suggs (knee) is also out of commission. That leaves an already limited offensive unit without two of its top scorers. The Magic are only putting up 105.7 points per game, second-fewest in the NBA. They’ve scored less than 100 points in three of their previous four contests as well.
One name that has benefitted from Banchero’s absence is Tristan da Silva. The former first round pick has been a decent bench option in recent years, but he’s been forced into a larger role. Through seven outings, he’s averaging 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Just as important, he’s knocking down 3.3 three-pointers per game on 44.2% shooting from deep.
The Suns are even worse than the Magic, due in large part to their inability to generate stops. They’re currently last in the association with a 125.6 defensive rating. Teams are knocking down 40.3% of their three-point attempts vs. Phoenix; only Miami (40.5%) has been worse. In comparison, da Silva has drained three or more treys in four of his seven appearances this season. At plus money, he’s more than capable of reaching this total on Thursday.
De’Anthony Melton 2+ three-pointers made (-101)
A three-pointer parlay? You bet (no pun intended).
De’Anthony Melton has been a reliable rotation piece for the injury-hampered Warriors. The veteran is averaging 10.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists over eight appearances, splitting time between the bench and starting lineup. To boot, he’s logged over 23.0 minutes a game during that time. Just as important, Melton is attempting 5.1 three-pointers per game on 46.3% shooting from beyond the arc.
Whether or not he starts tonight, Melton should have ample opportunity to contribute as a shooter. As previously mentioned, the Heat are allowing opponents to hit an NBA-high 40.5% of their three-point attempts. Just as important, Miami is operating at the association’s second-quickest pace offensively (102.9). That up-tempo approach lends itself to extra possessions for both sides.
Melton has connected on at least two three-pointers in five of his eight games this season. That’s despite garnering less than 28 minutes in each of those performances. There’s no reason to think the guard can’t reach this mark tonight, especially at even money.
