ZT details his best player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for tonight’s game between the Pistons and the Bucks.
The hottest team in the NBA returns to action after getting most of the week off. The Detroit Pistons have won 11 straight games but haven’t played since Tuesday as they get revved up for a stop in Milwaukee, where they’ll take on the Bucks, who remain without Giannis Antetokounmpo for this Eastern Conference matchup. Even with Giannis out, there are plenty of stars on both sides of this matchup and plenty of player props worth considering. Let’s dive in and take a look at a few player prop bets that stand out as my favorites.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Pistons are 8.5-point road favorites with the game total set at O/U 223.5 points.
The two Central Division rivals haven’t met this season, but the Pistons are 13-2 at the top of the Eastern Conference, while the Bucks are 8-8 and currently in the 10th spot. The Bucks have dropped three straight, but they’ll be hyped up to try and stop the Pistons’ winning streak in the second game of NBA TV’s Saturday night doubleheader.
Pistons vs. Bucks Best Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Ryan Rollins over 32.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-108)
Without Giannis available, the rest of the Bucks will have to pick up the offensive slack. The player who looks most ready to do that so far this season has been Ryan Rollins, who is taking his game to another level in his fourth season in the league.
The second-round pick has started 15 of his 16 games this season and has produced 18.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 31.6 minutes over his 15 starts. His average of 28.9 PRA (points, rebounds, and assists) in those games is mostly while playing the second option to Giannis’s primary role.
He has played two games this year without Giannis. Against the Hornets 10 days ago, he had 25 points, six assists and five rebounds (36 PRA), and on Thursday night he had a career night with 32 points, 14 assists and six rebounds (52 PRA!). That game did go to overtime and he logged over 40 minutes, both of which seem unlikely against the Pistons on Saturday. However, it shows how high his ceiling is and how much he can produce as the focal point of the offense.
The over on Rollins PRA is a great play at just about even money, and you can definitely be more aggressive and go up the ladder to 35+ PRA (+127), 40+ PRA (+274), or even all the way to 50+ PRA (+1240) if you think he can duplicate his monster outing from Thursday.
I may sprinkle a little on those higher numbers, but I feel very confident in Rollins getting at least 33 PRA and going over this prop line.
Ausar Thompson 12+ points (+146)
Thompson returned from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury and played 24 minutes off the bench on Tuesday night against the Hawks. With no setbacks and another few days to recover, he should be closer to full strength for this matchup, which is a favorable one against the Bucks, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points in the NBA to small forwards.
For the season, Thompson is averaging 13.2 points per game and has at least 12 points in five of his last six games, plus seven of his last nine games dating back to before the injury. If he’s back in the lineup or even just closer to his full workload off the bench, look for Thompson to be more aggressive on the offensive end. I think he’ll be able to deliver 12 points at these plus odds.
If you want to be more conservative, his over/under for points is 9.5, and the over plays at -129.
Jaden Ivey under 1.5 3PM (-138)
Ivey is questionable to make his season debut on Saturday, and this is the first time he’s been anything but listed as out since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery back in October. He’s been working with the G-League team and could be ready to get back in the rotation, but he’s likely to play under a heavy minutes restriction in his first few games back.
Last season, Ivey played 30 games (all starts) and logged 29.9 minutes per game, averaging 2.1 3PM. He could eventually step into a very meaningful role for the Pistons even after the emergence of Daniss Jenkins and the addition of Caris LeVert.
While I like Ivey’s possible fantasy value at the minimum salary and will be excited to see him back on the court for the first time since January 1, 2025, I don’t think he’s likely to get enough playing time in his first game back to hit multiple 3-pointers.