NBA Player Prop Bets, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (4/3)
Welcome to another day of basketball as we are deep into the NBA season with teams jockeying for playoff position or better draft status with only a handful of games remaining. If you're joining us for the first time, welcome. It's been a great year, and I hope we continue that trend as we look to the playoffs.
We have a six-game slate on Thursday, so we should have a solid handful of props available. As always, monitor injury news and lineup announcements. The best way to stay sharp regarding NBA player props is by staying on top of the news. The second-best way is to shop around at different sportsbooks. Player props rarely have identical odds across platforms, so ensure you get the best value. Let's get to it.
Unless specified otherwise, each bet will be for a single unit.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Player Prop Bets
Last Time: 1-1 | Season: 134-94
Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 50.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Look, this might not be the sharpest play in the book, I'll admit, but it just feels right, doesn't it? The Bucks are as close as you could be to locking up a top-six playoff seed without actually having it clinched. What better time to do it than against the Philadelphia 76ers?
In the last 15 games, opposing power forwards have managed 25 points (fifth-most), 12 boards (most) and almost six assists (second-most) against Philadelphia. Add on top of that Guerschon Yabusele being questionable, and you can see why Giannis Antetokounmpo should have a good game.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 30 points a night but is capable of so much more. I expect a similar performance as Tuesday against Phoenix (37-5-11). Philadelphia has nothing to play for. Even if they did, I don't expect them to be able to stop Antetokounmpo.
RJ Barrett Under 21.5 Points (-120 at ESPN Bet)
I know I've promoted the BettingPros Prop Bet Cheat Sheet over the years, but if you aren't using it, you're burning money. It has helped me be profitable for three straight NBA seasons, and I don't know where I'd be without it. It's an analytical machine - beyond just the NBA, too.
The cheat sheet projects RJ Barrett for around 18 points with immense value on the under, despite the juiced line. Portland's defense has stepped up after the All-Star break, jumping from 17th overall to ninth in their last 21 games. They will pace down the Raptors. Barrett has been battling an injury, missing six of the last nine Raptors' games. I'm surprised this line is as high as it is, as this would be a situation I'd expect it to be closer to 19 points, so jump on it before it dips.
Anthony Edwards Over 37.5 Points + Assists + Rebounds (-115 at bet365)
For another not-so-sharp-but-come-on play, we have Anthony Edwards overs. The Timberwolves are in jockey mode as they sit in seventh place, tied with the Grizzlies and half a game back from the Warriors in the Western Conference standings.
If anyone is going to take over, it's Edwards and his 31% usage rate against a Brooklyn Nets team that is 5-17 since the All-Star break with a bottom-seven defense. Sure, it's a pace-down spot, but it's not as if Minnesota plays fast anyway. Edwards has cleared this line in nearly half of his games. I'm trusting his talent to come through in a big way as the Timberwolves ascend the standings.
Ryan Coleman is a featured writer at BettingPros. Follow him on Twitter @ryancoleman_98. For more from Ryan, check out his archive.