Vaughn Dalzell breaks down his three favorite player props, plus a play pick in Kings at Lakers.
Jimmy Butler O/U 17.5 Points at Hornets
Jimmy Butler opened the season with three points on 1-for-8 shooting and two free throw attempts. Miami lost 116-97 and he played 26 minutes. That was as disappointing as it gets.
However, Jimmy Buckets should bounce back because he’s coming to face the Hornets! Butler has scored at least 15 points in 17 consecutive games against Charlotte and 18-plus points in 14 of those 17 games. This is a quality opponent for Butler to torment and get to the free throw line.
The Hornets have allowed 58 free throw attempts in two games and that’s the easiest way for Butler to make his shot fall. I played Butler Over 17.5 Points at -111 proof. The best line I could find was on FanDuel. I expect Butler to go for 20-plus points (+135).
Choose: Jimmy Butler Over 17.5 Points (1.5u)
Cade Cunningham O/U 36.5 PRA against the Celtics
Cade Cunningham is coming off a terrific outing last night of 33 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds in Cleveland. Cunningham is playing his first back-to-back of the season and we have to remember that he missed 20 games last year and 72 the year before due to injuries.
Plus, Detroit is playing Boston! The Celtics have been a tank through two games. In addition, Cunningham may not play many minutes in the fourth quarter after putting up 41 and 43 PRA against the Pacers and Cavaliers.
Cunningham totaled 27 and 46 PRA in two meetings with the Celtics last year. The 46 PRA effort came in OT with 43 minutes played, and that was Detroit’s NBA record 28th straight loss, so there was something on the line.
I took Cunningham Under 36.5 PRA at -118 odds on FanDuel and would play Under 35.5 PRA for 1.5 units as well.
Choose: Cade Cunningham Sub 36.5 PRA (1.5u)
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Josh Giddey O/U 12.5 Points vs. Thunder
Betting on the Chicago Bulls has already started as a mystery this season, but I like Josh Giddey to be aggressive and motivated against his former team.
Lonzo Ball returned to the Bulls but missed last night’s game and Zach LaVine missed 57 games last season, so both players could either be out or limited, leaving room for Giddey to feed. The 22-year-old Giddey had 17 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds last night in a win over the Bucks.
Giddey averaged 25.1 minutes for Oklahoma City last year and 24.6 minutes without rest. He played 30 and 24 minutes through two games with Chicago and aside from the team’s hot shooting last night, I believe the Bulls limited Giddey to 24 minutes to increase his usage tonight.
I played Giddey Over 12.5 Points at -105 odds at BetMGM and would go up to 13.5 for +100 or better. The Over 12.5 Points are juiced to -120 or -135 at other shops.
Choose: Josh Giddey Over 12.5 Points (1u)
Kings at Laker (-2): O/U 232.5
The Kings have a slight cap advantage here, which could be enough to knock the 2-0 Lakers off the undefeated ranks.
Los Angeles was 7-13 ATS (35%) and 10-10 on the ML (50%) when they were at a rest disadvantage and an even worse 9-14 ML the year before (9-13-1 ATS). Sacramento went 14-7-1 ATS (66.7%) last season with a layup advantage, which was the third-best mark in the NBA.
Anthony Davis has been fantastic for the Lakers so far (35.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG), but someone else will have to step up here and the 39-year-old LeBron James on the second night of a back-to-back is not. probably the secondary option in the third game of the season.
The line has moved slightly in the Kings’ direction and I’ll buy that because the Lakers continue to disappoint in this spot while the Kings excel. Give me Sacramento +1 (-110) or sprinkle the ML at +100.
Choose: Kings +1 (1u)
Season Record: 11-5 (68.7%) +6.65u
sprinklers
Jimmy Butler First Basket (+550) and 20-plus points (+145)
Jimmy Butler is coming off his lowest scoring performance since 2021. He could torch the Hornets for well over 20 points if he gets the first bucket.
Josh Giddey First Basketball (+1300)
A revenge angle on his former team at home after being traded. The price is nice. FanDuel’s odds.
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