We have an interesting slate tonight to find player props in the NBA. There are 3 games we targeted on the board such as:
- Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Utah Jazz
- Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Using the OddsTrader BetStation, I found today’s best bets for NBA player props.
The app is available for free on your device’s app store. It will show you statistical comparisons of each matchup, information on past meetings, spread movement, injury news, and even the weather forecast.
Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks
Friday, January 20, 2023 – 07:30 PM EST at American Airlines Center
Tyler Herro (Miami Heat)
- Over 17.5 Points Scored
The Dallas Mavericks come into tonight’s game on a slump having lost five of their past six games. The team has struggled with defense and their head coach Jason Kidd called out their defensive effort after a 130-122 loss to the Hawks on Wednesday night. Giving up 130 points is not going to win in the NBA and Kidd let that fact be clearly known in the post-game interview.
Dallas’s defensive deficiencies are not all because of lack of effort, Dallas has been struggling with injuries to some of their primary defenders. Dorian Finney-Smith will be back in the lineup tonight, but he’s playing on a sore ankle and has not been the same effective defensive player. Dorian Finney-Smith is Dallas’s primary defender and opposing teams are taking advantage of his injuries.
Tyler Herro is aware of injuries as he is just coming back from an injury himself. Herro missed a three-game stretch and has played limited minutes in his two games back. After showing that he is ready to go, I expect the Heat to ramp up his minutes tonight. He probably would have got more minutes in his last game against New Orleans but the Heat was blowing out the Pelicans.
Because the injury limited his minutes, it depressed Herro’s output in the last two games where he only scored 14 and 15 points. However, before the injury, he would have gone over this total in five of the last six games.
The Pick
Tyler Herro averages 20.8 points per game this season but tonight his point total is only set at 17.5. This is due to the decreased usage in his last game in Dallas’s season-long trend of keeping the pace low. However, lately, Dallas has been playing faster pace and the defense has been lackadaisical.
These are two strong factors in order for us to choose Tyler Herro to go over his point total tonight. Herro’s sharpshooting ability will be on display and he will go over this point total.
NBA Prop Pick: Tyler Herro Over 17.5 Points (-120) at BetMGM
Brooklyn Nets vs. Utah Jazz
Friday, January 20, 2023 – 09:00 PM EST at Vivint Arena
Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
- Over 26.5 Points Scored
The Brooklyn Nets have a tough spot on their schedule tonight. After falling behind early in Phoenix last night, the Nets made a late push to try and win the game. They erased a 24-point deficit and ended up falling 117-112. Unfortunately for Brooklyn tonight, the Nets used a lot of energy making the unsuccessful surge.
Utah has played well recently by winning four of its last five games. They last played on Wednesday meaning they have the home-court advantage and the rest advantage. Lauri Markkanen returned to the lineup against the Clippers on Wednesday night after missing two games with a bruised hip. Markkanen showed no signs of injury as he scored 34 points.
The Pick
Lauri Markkanen has scored more than 30 points 11 times this season. He is making a push for All-Star status for the first time in his career. Becoming an All-Star would mean a lot to Markkanen as well as the Jazz, who traded star Donovan Mitchell but acquired Lauri Markkanen in return.
Markkanen has a great matchup tonight going against the smaller Nic Claxton. Claxton is an excellent switch defender, but with Markkanen and his increased bulk, he will have the strength advantage down low. Markkanen has continued to show impressive abilities in the paint and has had a number of highlights this season where he dunks viciously against smaller defenders.
This will be a great opportunity for Markkanen to put up huge numbers in his All-Star push against a smaller, tired team. Markkanen will go over his point total tonight.
NBA Prop Pick: Lauri Markkanen Over 26.5 Points (-120) at BetRivers
Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Friday, January 20, 2023 – 07:30 PM EST at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Over 9.5 Rebounds
We will attack another tired team with this pick. The Warriors went to overtime with their new rival, the Boston Celtics last night, falling 121-118. After having a big lead for most of the game, it was an emotionally crushing defeat for the Warriors looked dejected as they walked off the court. Tonight they must play the second half of a back-to-back in their fifth game in eight days.
The Warriors might choose to sit their players tonight, but it has yet to be announced. Regardless of whoever the Warriors put out there, this is a great opportunity for Jarrett Allen to grab boards against the smaller team.
Steve Kerr recently announced that he is switching his starting lineup and favor of Jordan Poole over Kevon Looney. This makes the Warriors smaller and puts rebounding at a premium for this team. With two big men in the middle, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers should be able to punish the Warriors on the glass tonight.
The Pick
Jarrett Allen averages 9.8 rebounds per game so this number is right around his season average. He has seen a recent uptick in rebounding, however, going over this number in three of his last five games. This might be his best matchup of all to grab rebounds tonight.
A tired, small Warriors team going into Cleveland to face a Cavaliers team that will definitely be up for them bodes well for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen will be all over the boards tonight grabbing rebounds and getting his team out in transition.
NBA Prop Pick: Jarrett Allen Over 9.5 Rebounds (-120) at BetMGM
