We are back for some Tuesday night NBA props as the season is starting to take shape, with the race for that coveted playoff and play-in spots up for grabs in the final quarter of the regular season. Plenty of matchups to look into tonight and after a great 4-1 effort last Wednesday, we look to improve on our 18-8 record so far.
Isaiah Joe over 16.5 points (-118)
Oklahoma City Thunder (28-32) are once again hosting the Sacramento Kings (35-25) after their back-and-forth matchup on Sunday night ended in a Kings victory. The Kings are looking to close the gap on Memphis in 2nd in the Western Conference, while the Thunder are attempting to catch up to the pack ahead of them in the play-in spots. Isaiah Joe has benefitted recently with the absence of OKC’s leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, hitting 20+ points in back-to-back games, including 24 in Sunday’s game against the Kings. In all 5 matchups this season where Joe has seen 26+ minutes, he’s scored 20+ points in all of them, so look for him to continue this form against a Sacramento team that ranks 29th in points against (135.3) in their last 3, as SGA continues to miss time through injury. Our projections has Joe at 17.55 points for this one.
Keegan Murray over 16.5 points & rebounds (-115)
Sticking with the same matchup, the Sacramento Kings have been on fire of late, they’ve won 3 straight and in those games are leading the league in shooting percentage (55.9%) and also points per game (144.7) – skewed slightly by their goliath 176-175 win over the Clippers last week. De’Aaron Fox is questionable for the matchup tonight, and though he usually plays through it, the injury is apparently with his shooting wrist so he may not be at 100%. Rookie Keegan Murray may see more minutes as a result and after a 20-point / 6 rebound effort in the recent matchup with the Thunder, he should continue to see more game time tonight. In his last 12 matches with 30+ minutes, he’s hit this over the total in 10 of those games. Though his average over his last 10 has been exactly 16.5, what should help tonight is the fact that OKC ranks 30th in total rebounds allowed per game (61.7) and tied 25th in points allowed per game (122.7) so Murray should be plenty active in this one, especially if Fox misses out or has his minutes limited. His projection as of now sits at 17.74.
Kelly Olynyk over 5.5 rebounds (-145)
It wouldn’t be a write-up from myself if I wasn’t somehow betting against the San Antonio Spurs. The Utah Jazz (31-31) host the Spurs (14-47) as heavy favorites (-10) as the away team are yet to break their sorry losing streak (16), and I can’t see it ending tonight. Kelly Olynyk has also been a staple of recent weeks as he continues his decent form since returning to the Jazz starting lineup. The Jazz leads the league by a fair few in total rebounds per game (68.7) over their last 3, and a major contributing factor has been the starting of their 3 centers (Markkanen, Kessler & Olynyk). Olynyk has seen 6+ rebounds in 8 of his last 9 games, so we’re sticking with our guy, and he faces a Spurs team tied for 25th in total rebounds allowed per game (57.3). San Antonio also ranks 27th in field goals attempted against per game (90.1) and with the Jazz shooting just 44.9% in their last 3, and the Spurs even worse at 42.8%, expect plenty of missed shots to be contested and dominated by the home team. Olynyk is projected 6.06 for the evening.
Trae Young double-double (-130)
The Atlanta Hawks (31-30) welcome the Washington Wizards (28-32) in a matchup between 2 teams that have struggled for consistency this season, but both sit in the play-in spots as of now, with the Hawks closest to those coveted playoff spots. One consistent piece for the Hawks though has been star man Trae Young who leads non-centers in double-doubles this year with 30 (out of 54 games). Over the last 10 games, he’s averaged 26.6 points, and 11.5 assists and has had a DD in 7 of those 10. The Wizards look to be without Kriztaps Porzingis again which should give the Hawks the edge, as they’re -6.5 favorites, so Young should see plenty of space and opportunities come his way tonight.
Nikola Vucevic over 11.5 rebounds (+105)
The Chicago Bulls have had a dominant start to the post-All-Star break as they’ve won back-to-back games and kept both the Nets & Wizards under 90 points. The Bulls (28-33) travel to Toronto to face the Raptors (30-32) who have turned their season around at the right time, only losing 2 of their last 9 games. Nicola Vicevic has continued to Dominate for the Bulls this season, averaging 17.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game so far. The Raptors rank dead last in their last 3 in defensive rebounds allowed per game (39.7) and tied 25th for total rebounds allowed (57.3). As well as these, Toronto also ranks 28th in shooting percentage (41%) over the last 3 as well, so Vucevic should see plenty of action around the paint. He’s hit this over in 7 of his last 10 and has averaged 13 rebounds per game in that time. If you want to water this play down a touch, he is -210 to hit a double-double, something he’s done on 39 occasions so far this season. Our projection tool has him at 12.06 rebounds this evening.
I’m David, 28, originally from England but now married and living in Texas. Originally studied English Literature at Liverpool Hope University, alongside Sport & Education. Having been an avid sports fan my entire life, I had a season ticket at Everton FC in the EPL for 17 years. Since moving here I’ve become a Kansas City Chiefs fan after Kelce won me my Fantasy League on my first-ever try. Love watching the games whether it be college on Saturdays or the NFL throughout the week. You’ll always find me with a bet or two on as well. 1 leg losses are my Kryptonite.
