Bryan Armetta shares his three favorite player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Saturday’s six-game NBA slate.
It’s a six-game, 12-game slate this Saturday across the NBA. It all gets started this afternoon, when the Magic visit the Timberwolves for a potential slugfest. Later, the 76ers and Hawks meet in a pivotal Eastern Conference clash. To cap things off, the Warriors visit the Thunder in primetime.
Which players should bettors back ahead of today’s action? Here are my three favorite NBA prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Saturday’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Jalen Johnson 11+ rebounds (-114)
Despite acting as sellers at the trade deadline, the Hawks remain in postseason contention at 32-31. This squad has been carried by the sublime play of fifth-year pro Jalen Johnson. The Duke alum has taken the next step, blossoming into a bonafide difference-maker on offense. Through 56 games, he’s averaging 22.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists to go with 49/34/78 shooting splits. Those numbers are due in part to a career-best 27.2% usage rate. Johnson ranks second in the NBA this season with 11 triple-doubles.
As an all-around contributor, it’s difficult to hone in on just one category for JJ. However, the forward should dominate on the glass this evening. The 76ers have given up the NBA’s seventh-most rebounds per game to opponents (54.7). To boot, Philadelphia remains without starting center Joel Embiid (oblique). Over the last six meetings between these two clubs, Johnson has snagged at least ten boards. A solid floor for production makes the All-Star someone worth consideration on Saturday.
Myles Turner 2+ three-pointers made (-107)
The Bucks are in no-man’s land, sitting at 11th in the Eastern Conference. No player better represents Milwaukee’s mediocrity than Myles Turner. To be clear, the center remains an above-average scorer and rim protector. However, his four-year, $109 million deal signed this offseason hasn’t led to many wins. Over 57 games, Turner has recorded 12.4 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting just 44% from the field. Middling statistics such as those, on a semi-rebuilding squad, make it tough to back Turner on a daily basis.
If there’s one thing the veteran does well, especially for a big man, it’s long-distance shooting. Turner is knocking down 38.5% of his three-point attempts this season. He’s drained two or more shots from beyond the arc in 38 of his 57 appearances. Tonight’s opponents, the Jazz, are terrible at defending the perimeter. Utah is surrendering 15.4 three-pointers made per game, worst in the association. Milwaukee, even with Giannis Antetokounmpo healthy, might not earn a blowout. As long as Turner garners around 20 minutes of playing time, he should be able to reach this total.
Draymond Green over 10.5 assists + rebounds (-123)
Life without Steph Curry hasn’t been easy for the Warriors, especially on offense. The superstar point guard’s absence has made limiting opponents on the other end of the floor even more important. Fortunately for Golden State, Draymond Green remains one of the NBA’s elite defenders. In addition, the four-time All-Star is a true stat-stuffer. This season, the power forward has posted 8.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. Those numbers, in spite of inefficient shooting, have kept the 36-year-old on the floor.
Saturday’s showdown with the defending champs won’t be easy. Oklahoma City wields the NBA’s premier defense, stifling even the best offensive weapons in basketball. With that being said, the Thunder do have a weakness on the glass. OKC is giving up 55.2 rebounds per game, sixth-most in the NBA. When it comes to passing, Green should act as more of a distributor this evening. Draymond has tallied at least six assists in each of his last four outings without Curry. In fact, the big man has recorded 11+ assists + rebounds in four of his last six contests. Another all-around stat line could be in the cards tonight.