This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Welcome back to another week of DraftKings props. Our inaugural start to the new season went surprisingly well save for some shocking parlay flubs. With an 11-game slate on tap there's certainly plenty of options to choose from, so let's get to it.
Points Props
I am a bit concerned this game easily has the lowest over/under, but Anthony Edwards should be in position to score over 24.5 points. No D'Angelo Russell (ankle) should set the stage for Edwards to be a critical factor in the backcourt, and while I would love to assume Patrick Beverley will have a revenge game for the ages, it seems far more likely the second-year guard takes advantage of the Clippers' porous defense as opposed to grizzled veteran.
There were far more rebound/assist props available than the points for Wednesday so forgive me for cheating a bit. Under 30.5 points/rebounds/assists CJ McCollum (-110) is absolutely in play mainly because the Cavs tend to limit backcourts, or at least hold one part of that duo in check. Damian Lillard has obviously been struggling and while I'm not sure this will be a get-right game for him, McCollum's rebound/assist figure coupled into this bet should cover us in the event the shooting guard does catch fire from deep.
Lost in the Jalen Suggs development (or lack thereof? I don't really know where we're at with him thus far), No. 8 overall pick Franz Wagner has been a massive success. Much like Harrison Barnes last week, DraftKings simply hasn't adjusted to his recent run of form which means over 11.5 points (-130) is easily in play. The easiest rule of thumb, if a player is averaging more shots per game (12.1 through eight contests) than their expected o/u total, bet the over every time. It certainly helps that the Celtics are miserable defensively to begin the new campaign.
Rebounds/Assists
I mentioned this bet on the betting roundtable and combined it into a parlay to get the best odds, but on DraftKings we're only left with an immovable o/u. -155 odds is not great by any means, but I feel very confident Monte Morris can go over 3.5 assists mainly because the Grizzlies allow the most assists to opposing point guards by a wide margin, and Morris just tallied six against this same opponent Monday.
Not that past games will necessarily impact future ones, but Jaylen Brown has been an absolute glass cleaner to begin the season, registering at least five rebounds in four of his six contests to begin the year. Over 5.5 boards (-120) against the Magic, who allow the third-most rebounds to shooting guards, certainly is a nice prop to consider.
With Scottie Barnes (thumb) out, Svi Mykhailiuk once again makes a worthy fill-in. The 24-year-old posted 15 points, five rebounds and five assists -- and more importantly played 35 minutes -- in his first action following Barnes' injury Monday, and I think over 18.5 PRA (-120) can easily be in consideration with similar run time. The Wizards are actually relatively good against opposing small forwards when it comes to limiting rebounds and assists, but I think Mykhailiuk should see enough playing time for it not to matter.
From an odds perspective, there was one other rebound prop that stood out. It's plus money for a reason, but over 3.5 boards for Bogdan Bogdanovic (+100) sure feels like a possibility. The Nets allow the most rebounds to opposing small forwards, which obviously isn't Bogdanovic's position, but I wonder if he essentially acts that way on the glass with De'Andre Hunter still working his way into game shape. At the very least, Bogey, which only I can call him as a jaded Bucks fan, appears to be the more aggressive rebounder and that matters given Brooklynn's struggles on the glass.
Parlay Builders
- Gordon Hayward over 1.5 made threes (-180)
- Marcus Smart under 3.5 rebounds (-165)
- Robert Covington under 1.5 blocks (-220)
Best Bets
- Monte Morris over 3.5 assists (-155)
- Franz Wagner over 11.5 points (-130)
- Jaylen Brown over 5.5 rebounds (-120)
