Bryan Armetta shares his three favorite player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday’s nine-game NBA slate.
It’s the first weekend following the All-Star break, which means plenty of NBA action for hoops fans. On Friday, it’ll be a nine-game, 18-team slate. It all gets started in Charlotte, when the red-hot Hornets host the Cavaliers. Elsewhere, Anthony Edwards makes his return to the hardwood for the Timberwolves against the Mavericks. To cap things off, the Battle of LA between the Clippers and Lakers tips off at the Crypto Center.
Which players are poised to cash in for bettors on Friday? Here are my three favorite NBA prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for this evening’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Cam Spencer 16+ points (-119)
Look, I love the NBA. With that being said, there aren’t many compelling reasons for even the most hardcore hoops fans to watch Grizzlies-Jazz. Fortunately, Cam Spencer gives this one a bit of intrigue. On an otherwise depleted Memphis roster, the former UConn standout has impressed. Through 51 games this season, he’s averaging 11.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists. In addition, he’s shooting 48% from the field and a team-leading 44.7% from three-point range. The latter mark is good enough for sixth-best in the association.
Given the lack of supporting talent in Memphis, Spencer should enjoy a productive second half of the season. What better way to kick things off than a date with the dismal Jazz? Utah is allowing an NBA-worst 125.9 points and 15.5 three-pointers made per game to opponents. Spencer, while streaky, has tallied at least 16 points in four of his last seven outings. Names such as Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger) are all sidelined for the Grizzlies. That leaves Cam and not much else in this backcourt. Massive usage against basketball’s worst defense? This is one of the best props on the board tonight.
Chet Holmgren under 17.5 points (-123)
Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) and Jalen Williams (hamstring) are out this evening for the Thunder. In theory, that means even more work than usual for Chet Holmgren. OKC’s standout big man is already one of the NBA’s premier two-way threats. This season, he’s recorded 17.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. To boot, the Gonzaga alum has delivered solid 56/35/65 shooting splits. On a loaded Oklahoma City squad, he’s poised to serve as a number one option tonight.
That should lead to an impressive stat line for Holmgren, especially when factoring in his opponents. The Nets are a mess, ranking 25th in the NBA with a 118.3 defensive rating. They come into this one on the second leg of a back-to-back, fresh off of a 112-84 defeat vs. Cleveland. In other words, don’t expect anything close to an upset from Brooklyn tonight. That’s reflected in Friday’s whopping 17.5-point spread favoring the Thunder. OKC might have this one wrapped up by the third quarter, therefore keeping its starters on the bench. It’s also worth mentioning that Holmgren has gone under 18 points in each of his last seven appearances. A potential blowout makes the 23-year-old a prime fade candidate.
Bam Adebayo 30+ points + rebounds (-110)
On the new-look, fast-paced Heat, Bam Adebayo remains a rock down low. The former All-Defensive Team selection is still a force on both ends of the floor. However, his offensive production can be a bit streaky at times. Fortunately for Miami fans, the 28-year-old has enjoyed a solid run recently. Over his last ten games, the center is averaging 20.8 points and 10.5 rebounds. He’s put up those scoring numbers despite shooting just over 42% from the field.
What makes Bam so appealing for bettors is his ability to rack up counting stats. Miami, operating at the NBA’s fastest pace on offense, also finds itself involved in shootouts on a nightly basis. During that ten-game stretch, Adebayo has notched a double-double seven different times. Tonight, he’ll face a Hawks club allowing the seventh-most rebounds (55.1) and eighth-most points in the paint (52.3) per game. The last time these teams met, on February 3rd, Bam delivered a 16-point, 14-rebound performance. A similar showing on Friday wouldn’t come as a surprise.