The NBA All-Star Break begins this weekend and tonight is the last night of regular season basketball for a week. We have a smaller 3 game slate tonight. Our featured games are the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns, the Washington Wizards vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls.
Let’s use the OddsTrader BetStation to find the best price for today’s NBA player props.
Picks Summary
- Clippers vs. Suns: Deandre Ayton Over 20.5 Points (-115) at Bet365
- Wizards vs. Timberwolves: Kyle Kuzma Over 7.5 Rebounds (-115) at Bet365
- Bucks vs. Bulls: Nikola Vucevic Double-Double – Yes (-222) at BetMGM
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns
Thursday, February 16, 2023 – 10:00 PM EST at Footprint Center
Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)
In a battle of two rising teams in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns will both try and head into the All-Star break right with a win tonight.
This game could end up having huge implications for playoff seedings because the Los Angeles Clippers are currently 32-28 and the Phoenix Suns are 32-27. Both teams are expected to rise up the standings with Kawhi Leonard getting healthy and Kevin Durant being traded to the Phoenix Suns.
The Pick
Deandre Ayton’s average of 18.8 points per game is about two points lower than tonight’s point prop. However, he has gone over this number in his last five games, including a 29-point outing against the Sacramento Kings.
With Chris Paul back in the lineup, Deandre Ayton is getting much larger usage. Chris Paul knows how to use the big man properly and pick and roll situations, and Paul’s ability to put the ball exactly where Ayton needs it for a high-percentage shot has been key in the Suns’ recent success. I expect the Paul- Ayton connection to be strong again tonight and he will go over at this point prop total.
NBA Prop Pick: Deandre Ayton Over 20.5 Points (-115) at Bet365
Washington Wizards vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Thursday, February 16, 2023 – 08:00 PM EST at Target Center
Kyle Kuzma (Washington Wizards)
The Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves will square off tonight in Minnesota. The teams have played once this year and it was a game in which many player props went over. On November 28th, Washington won against the Timberwolves 142-127.
The Wizards are making a push and have won nine of their last 13 games. The Timberwolves are 6-4 over their last 10. Both teams are playing better basketball than they were in November.
The Pick
Kyle Kuzma returned to the lineup after an injury against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night and put up 33 points and 9 rebounds in the win. Kuzma has gone over this rebounding total in four of his last six games.
I expect a high pace in tonight’s game which means there will be plenty of shots taken early in the shot clock, and more opportunities for defensive rebounds. Kyle Kuzma will be eager to get on the glass and get his team going in a fast break, the same way they did in their victory in November. I expect Kuzma’s recent trend of being a monster on the glass to continue tonight. Although Kyle Kuzma’s point prop looks tempting, the rebounding prop has even better value.
NBA Prop Pick: Kyle Kuzma Over 7.5 Rebounds (-115) at Bet365
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls
Thursday, February 16, 2023 – 07:30 PM EST at United Center
Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls)
The Milwaukee Bucks have won 11 games in a row heading into tonight’s game in Chicago. The Bucks’ most recent outing was a win over the Boston Celtics 131-125 in overtime. Their opponent tonight, the Chicago Bulls, blew a 24-point lead in their loss last night against the Indiana Pacers. The Bulls will be looking to bounce back tonight to head into the All-Star break without that sour taste in their mouth.
The Bulls have beaten the Bucks twice this season. The Bulls defeated the Bucks 118-113 in November and 119-113 in Chicago in December. In both games, DeMar DeRozan had a big night going for 36 and 42 points respectively. DeRozan is a game-time decision.
The Pick
Nikola Vucevic is in line for a big night against the Bucks. Vucevic averages a double-double this season with 17.8 points per game and 11.4 rebounds per game. The Bucks are a big team and the Bulls will need his size on the floor tonight. Vucevic has recorded a double-double in nine of his last 10 games.
In a game where the Bulls will be desperate to get a win, we can expect a big performance from Nikola Vucevic. He will record another double-double tonight.
NBA Prop Pick: Nikola Vucevic Double-Double – Yes (-222) at BetMGM
