The NBA trade deadline has passed, and we have plenty of new landscapes in the league and some unchanged situations to consider for tonight’s player props.
We have three picks for you to take into consideration.
- Fred VanVleet Over 21.5 Points (-115) at BetMGM
- Jabari Smith Jr. Under 6.5 Rebounds (-125) at Bet365
- Jarrett Allen Double-Double / Yes (-115) at FanDuel
Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors
Friday, February 10, 2023 – 07:30 PM EST at Scotiabank Arena
Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors)
- Over 21.5 Points Scored
The Toronto Raptors were expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, and rumors were swirling around Fred VanVleet. However, no trade was consummated and VanVleet remains the point guard for the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors’ opponent tonight, the Utah Jazz, made significant changes, however, by shipping out Mike Conley to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mike Conley was the Jazz’s best point-of-attack defender and this means Van Vleet will have an easier matchup tonight.
The Raptors’ last game was a 112-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. That was the Raptors’ third win in a row and they are now 6-4 over the last 10. The Utah Jazz is coming into this game on a three-game losing streak.
The Pick
Fred VanVleet has gone over this number in three of his last five games, including a 32-point outburst against Houston. With the trade deadline now passed, this team can settle in and continue to build around the pieces that they have. The Raptors are a talented team that is underperforming this season. It’s not too late and not inconceivable that they can make a push and become a playoff team.
If the Raptors are to make that push, they’re going to need leadership and scoring from Fred VanVleet. We expect them to make a statement tonight with a strong outing against one of the league’s weaker defenses.
The Utah Jazz are 24th in points against at 117.1 and they just traded away two of their better defenders in Mike Conley and Jarred Vanderbilt. This is a great opportunity for us to take advantage of tonight when Fred VanFleet goes over his point prop total.
NBA Prop Pick: Fred VanVleet Over 21.5 Points (-115) at BetMGM
Houston Rockets vs. Miami Heat
Friday, February 10, 2023 – 08:00 PM EST at Miami-Dade Arena
Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets)
- Under 6.5 Rebounds
The Miami Heat host the Houston Rockets in Miami tonight. The Miami Heat have a seven-game winning streak at home and expect to keep it intact against the worst team in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets. Miami is 18-9 at home this season and the Rockets are 5-22 on the road.
The Miami Heat’s most recent game was a 116-111 win over the Indiana Pacers. The Houston Rockets’ most recent game was a 130-128 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night which was the Rockets’ 4th straight loss.
The Pick
The Miami Heat are one of the slower-paced teams in the NBA. They are 30th in points scored at 108.6 and second in points against at 108.4. With scoring totals up around the league, the Heat still remains one of the teams that do not have totals above 230 every night.
The slower pace means fewer opportunities for shots and rebounds. Pace is important when looking for player props because opportunities are so important in making advantage wagers all season long. We will take advantage of the fact that we know the Miami Heat have a slower pace which means fewer opportunities for missed shots and fewer opportunities for rebounds.
Jabari Smith Jr. is the Houston Rockets’ prize rookie, drafted number three overall this year. Smith is an excellent scorer, defender, and can be a solid rebounder. However, as of late, his defensive assignments have been on the wing which does not give him rebounding opportunities.
Smith has failed to go over this total in the last three games in spite of playing 30 or more minutes in each. We expect this trend to continue tonight.
NBA Prop Pick: Jabari Smith Jr. Under 6.5 Rebounds (-125) at Bet365
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Friday, February 10, 2023 – 10:00 PM EST at Smoothie King Center
Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers)
The Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans will take the court tonight in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The Cavaliers expect to have their starting backcourt back in the lineup tonight after the two missed games with injuries. Both Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell missed Wednesday’s 113-85 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Jarrett Allen was big in that game with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Allen has been a consistent plus in the Cavaliers’ lineup and a major factor in their success this season.
The Cavaliers and the New Orleans Pelicans met on January 16th where Cleveland won 113-103. This game was in Cleveland and now the Pelicans will try to even the season series at home tonight.
The Pick
Jarrett Allen is the team’s leading rebounder averaging 9.9 points per game. He has secured a double-double in four of the team’s last five outings. Allen has been instrumental to the team’s success and they will need him tonight.
With Jonas Valanciunas as his primary defensive assignment, Allen will be in the paint all night which gives him an excellent opportunity to get rebounds. Valanciunas will not bring Allen out to the wing, which means he should be in position on almost every missed shot.
This is a perfect recipe for another big rebounding night and another double-double.
NBA Prop Pick: Jarrett Allen Double-Double / Yes (-115) at FanDuel
