Our NBA player props today focus exclusively on matchups and how these players will perform based on their recent history and the defense they will face. We must also account for injuries to his teammates and how that may affect his performance. Without further ado, let’s get down to it and begin the weekend in winning style with a sweep of Friday’s NBA player props.
The three player props we will discuss below include the Pacers’ Pascal Siakam, the Nets’ Michael Porter Jr., and Golden State’s Jimmy Butler.
Let’s begin with Indiana’s Pascal Siakam.
Pacers’ Pascal Siakam (Under 24.5 Points)
San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers – 7:00 PM ET
Indiana’s leading scorer, Pascal Siakam, is the straw that stirs the drink for the Pacers’ offense, but asking him to drop 25 or more points on a defensively stingy team like the Spurs is a big ask and one in which he likely won’t deliver. The Spurs are ranked 8th in points allowed this season, surrendering 113.6 points per game.
Consider that Siakam is averaging 23.5 points per game, but when matched against outstanding defensive teams recently, like the Celtics and Rockets, he scored 11 and 23 points, respectively.
Lastly, if we review Siakam’s performances against the Spurs recently, we see that he scored 18 and 23 points last year, in his two meetings with San Antonio. The Pacers also met the Spurs twice during this year’s preseason, with the 31-year-old veteran scoring 9 and 17 points.
Go low here and bet under 24.5 points on Pascal Siakam.
Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. (Over 26.5 Points)
Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Wizards are one of the most defensively porous teams in the league and a perfect fit for any player who has a penchant for dropping the rock in the hole. Enter Michael Porter Jr, who is the leading scorer for Brooklyn, averaging 28.5 points per game.
However, it should be noted that MPJ did not suit up in Thursday night’s 120-96 loss to the Rockets due to illness. That is often coach-speak for load management, giving a star player the night off just to avoid wear and tear come playoff time.
Regardless, what we do know is that Porter will be well-rested for this one. Moreover, the last time these teams met, in mid-November in DC, Porter dropped 34 points in Brooklyn’s 129-106 victory.
Let’s go over 26.5 points with Michael Porter Jr.
Warriors’ Jimmy Butler (Under 18.5 Points)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors – 10:00 PM ET
It’s never easy facing the reigning world champs and the No. 1 defensive team in the league. But that is what the Golden State Warriors will be tasked with, and after doing my homework, I have concluded that it will be a long night for Golden State’s Jimmy Butler.
In his last outing on New Year’s Eve, Butler knocked down 19 points against the defensively questionable Charlotte Hornets. Butler is nothing if not consistent, and his 19.7 points per game would suggest that this total is just a wee bit low, giving many the idea that an over play in this spot might have some value.
However, Butler’s recent history against OKC suggests otherwise. This season, he scored six points in limited minutes against the Thunder on December 2nd. Before that, he scored 12 points in 22 minutes on November 11th. If we go back to last season, we see that he was held without scoring a point, calling it quits in the first quarter after claiming an illness, in the Heat’s (Butler’s old team) 104-97 loss to the Thunder.
Go under 18.5 points with Jimmy Butler.
Place Your NBA Bowl Picks & How to Bet Smart This Week
The lines and odds on my NBA player props today, including the Pacers’ Pascal Siakam, Nets’ Michael Porter Jr., and Golden State’s Jimmy Butler, will not remain stagnant forever. Odds, point spreads, totals, and player props are dynamic, which means the lines on the player props you see here may not be around by gametime.
Therefore, it is important that you get the sharpest line available, and the only way to do that is to get down immediately on the games and make sure you have an active account.
That’s right, make certain your account is funded, and perhaps get accounts at two or more sportsbooks so you can compare the numbers. Make sure to get down at a place you trust and at the best lines or odds available.
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