Since there’s only a four-game card Tuesday in the NBA, we’ll have to dive deeper to find more action in the Association. Below, we’ll highlight Tuesday’s top NBA player prop predictions.
The headliner of the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the Denver Nuggets is a little muted because Sixers’ MVP candidate C Joel Embiid is still sidelined due to a knee injury.
We’ll also be treated to a new school vs. old school point guard matchup with Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns hosting Trae Young’s Atlanta Hawks.
Tuesday’s NBA player prop bet predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:25 p.m. ET.
Denver Nuggets C Nikola Jokic UNDER 23.5 points (-120)
The first thing that jumps out to me about this prop is how the Under is more expensive than the Over.
Either that means the House prefers the Under and is trying to steer bettors in the opposite direction or the market prefers the Under. Generally, the player props market is fairly sophisticated and it’s not like Joe Public is betting regular-season NBA player props.
As far as the on-court stuff goes, the Sixers not having Embiid for this game leads me to believe they’ll devise other ways to prevent Jokic from crushing them. Which may or may not work. Jokic’s elite passing skills work in favor of the Under here because if Philly over-adjusts for Embiid’s absence then Jokic is going to hit open shooters.
Furthermore, we’ll see a lot of Sixers backup C Dwight Howard guarding Jokic and Howard is one of the best defensive bigs ever.
In Jokic’s 10 career-games vs. Howard, he has never scored more than 22 points, including a 15-point performance from Jokic in the first 76ers-Nuggets meeting this year.
Philly was without Embiid, PG Ben Simmons and SF Tobias Harris in that game, which turned into a Denver blowout and Jokic didn’t play in the fourth quarter. He also had 12 assists because Philly was overcompensating for no Embiid and freeing up Jokic’s teammates, bringing us back to our second point.
GIMME N. JOKIC UNDER 23.5 POINTS (-120) for 1 unit.
Special NBA Betting Promotion!
Place a $1 bet on any team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN, VA and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!
Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Atlanta Hawks SG Kevin Huerter UNDER 11.5 points (-110)
Huerter has struggled lately and that combined with the return of Hawks first-year SG Bogdan Bogdanović are the reasons for Huerter being replaced in the starting lineup.
Over his previous six games, he hasn’t scored more than 10 points once and is shooting just 29.4% from the field on 8.5 field-goal attempts per game. His minutes per game, points per game, shooting percentage and shots per game are all down this month.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Also, Phoenix is fifth in defensive rating and a backcourt with Paul in it is always tough defensively. This season the Suns are holding opposing shooting guards to the third-fewest points per game and sixth-lowest shooting percentage.
BET K. HUERTER UNDER 11.5 POINTS (-110) for a half-unit.
Want some action on these props? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Also see:
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.