Welcome to the 2024-25 NBA season. Tonight, the Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves. How will Jalen Brunson perform against the Celtics? And in the late game, how will Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley perform with new faces surrounding them?
Here are the three best NBA player props for Tuesday, October 22.
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Tuesday’s Best NBA Player Prop Bets
(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Jalen Brunson Under 28.5 Points (-120)
Jalen Brunson averaged 28.7 points last season. He faced the Celtics five times. In his last two games against the team, he scored at least 34 points. Yet, early in the season, he struggled against the Celtics. In his first three games, he scored 26 or fewer points. He scored just 15 points when the teams met on Opening Day.
The addition of Karl-Anthony Towns is likely to have an impact on Brunson's production, at least early in the season. He averaged 21.8 points per game last season. Brunson will probably still get 20, as he did in four of his five games against the Celtics last season, but this number is a little too high, especially when you consider how good the Celtics' defense is.
Anthony Edwards Over 32.5 Points + Assists (-104)
Last season, Anthony Edwards faced the Lakers four times. He recorded at least 31 points + assists in all four games. This was right in line with his average of 25.9 points plus 5.1 assists per game. And best of all, that 31 is his floor against tonight's opponent.
The Timberwolves acquired Julius Randle this offseason, replacing the previously mentioned Towns. Randle averaged 24.0 points per game last season, which is more than the 21.8 points Towns averaged. In this new system with better role players around him, Randle is likely to take a slight step back at least early in the season. Edwards will continue to be the go-to player for the Timberwolves, and in a favorable matchup, he'll go over most of his totals tonight.
Mike Conley Over 5.5 Assists (+112)
Mike Conley assisted on at least six baskets in each of his four games against the Lakers last season. He finished the year averaging 5.7 assists per game, which was 12th-best in the league. The Lakers allowed 28.2 assists per game last season, the fifth-worst mark in the league.
Why is the price so favorable for this over? I don't know. Maybe oddsmakers are worried about Edwards' success against the Lakers taking away from Conley. Or maybe, they think the new additions to the team, such as Donte DiVincenzo, will impact his production. It's the first game of the season, so we have little to go off of. To get this number at this price is too good to pass up.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Tuesday:
- NFL Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- NHL Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- College Football Week 9 Early Lines: Odds & Predictions (2024)
- Champions League Matchday 3 Odds, Picks & Predictions (2024)
- NBA Same Game Parlay Picks: Timberwolves vs. Lakers (10/22)
- NBA Same Game Parlay Picks: Knicks vs. Celtics (10/22)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.