There are only five NBA games today, including two televised on TNT, truTV, and Max. How will Jimmy Butler perform for the Miami Heat when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers? Can Cole Anthony knock down multiple three-pointers against the Toronto Raptors? And what should we expect from Nikola Jokic when his Denver Nuggets battle the Philadelphia 76ers?
Here are the three best NBA player props for Tuesday, January 21.
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Tuesday’s Best NBA Player Prop Bets
This Season: 31-34 (+1.30 units) | Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Jimmy Butler Under 15.5 Points (-105)
Butler has not done much offensively for the Heat in his last few games. He's scored fewer than 10 points in three of his four games in January. If you go back to December, he's scored 11 or fewer points in five of his last seven. While there's always a chance that he could explode for 35, as he did against the Detroit Pistons on December 16, it seems that he's content with taking fewer shots no matter who he's playing.
The Trail Blazers are allowing 116.7 points per game. That ranks 24th in the league. But even though this is a good matchup and Butler is averaging 17.2 points per game, it's not a slump causing Butler to score less. It's simply the way he's playing the game. Look for him to potentially score in single digits again.
Cole Anthony Over 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (-110)
Anthony is only averaging 0.9 three-pointers per game, but he's seen a steady increase in production as the season has progressed. In November, he averaged 0.6 threes per game. That number increased to 1.0 in December. This month, Anthony is averaging 1.5 makes per game, and he’s knocked down at least two threes in three of his last five.
Earlier this month, Anthony went just 1-of-4 from long-range against the Raptors. While that performance was disappointing, the Raptors are allowing the fourth-most three-pointers per game this season. Anthony has attempted at least five threes in four of his last five games. And while he's only shooting 30.3% from deep this season, putting up five attempts against this defense should be enough to get him two makes.
Nikola Jokic 14+ Rebounds (+125)
Jokic is averaging 13.2 rebounds per game. This month, he's averaging 14.3, and he's coming off a 14-rebound performance against the Orlando Magic. He's now pulled down at least 14 boards in three of his last four matchups.
Oddsmakers have Jokic's line set just below his season average tonight. But while the Nuggets have to battle the 76ers, the 76ers will be without Joel Embiid. As a team that averages 52.3 allowed rebounds per game, there's no reason to expect them to shut down Jokic, especially without Embiid. Back Jokic to record more than 13 rebounds, for a very favorable price.
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.