Best Bets on Today’s NBA Player Props Market
On Thursday, March 2nd, we’re locked and loaded with three NBA player props that represent tremendous value. This might only be a four-game slate, but we do have some exciting matchups to watch. The first game of tonight’s TNT doubleheader features the Dallas Mavericks hosting the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Clippers will take on the Golden State Warriors after that. We targeted players in both of those games, as we have plays on Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook. We also have a bet on Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl, who will be playing against the Washington Wizards. Keep reading to find out what we have for all three players.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on March 2
Here are our favorite NBA prop bets for Thursday, March 2 (odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook):
Toronto Raptors (-2, 223) at Washington Wizards
Since getting traded back to the Raptors, Poeltl is playing 27.1 minutes per game and averaging 2.0 blocks per game. The 27-year-old has also blocked at least two shots in three of his last six games, with one of them being against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. Now, we’re banking on Poeltl to block at least two shots against the Wizards.
Quite frankly, the fact that you can get this at +160 odds made it an easy decision to make this bet. That’s a ridiculous number for a player that has been one of the game’s top rim protectors since entering the league. Poeltl averaged at least 1.7 blocks in back-to-back seasons heading into this year, which just goes to show you how regularly he does record multiple blocks.
This also could be a game in which the Raptors keep Poeltl on the floor a bit longer than usual, as the Wizards have quite a bit of size. Toronto will need him in there to contest everything.
Bet: Poeltl Over 1.5 Blocks (+160)
Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks (-4, 228)
This season, Kyrie Irving has hit the Over on his point total in 26 of the 47 games he has started. However, the Over is an even stronger 32-15 in games in which Irving has had a point total as low as the 23.5 points that DraftKings set for him this evening, according to our Daily Prop Analyzer. That’s good for an ROI of 68.1 percent.
Irving also happens to be due for a big performance as a scorer, as he has struggled with his shooting since getting to the Mavericks. Over the last two games, he is just 15 of 40 from the field, and he’s 2 for 14 from behind the three-point line. That lousy shooting simply isn’t sustainable, and he should come bursting out of his slump with tonight being a national television game against one of his former teammates, James Harden.
The reality here is that Irving is averaging 26.7 points per game this season. And while he hasn’t yet been that guy with Dallas, it isn’t because of a lack of opportunities. This is just too low of a number and we couldn’t resist playing it.
Bet: Irving Over 23.5 Points (-125)
Los Angeles Clippers (-4-, 231.5) vs. Golden State Warriors
Since getting to the Clippers, Russell Westbrook is averaging a total of 25.3 points and assists per game, which is well over tonight’s total of 22.5. Now, we should mention that Los Angeles played a total of three overtime periods over those three games, which might have inflated things a bit. But Westbrook had a total of 24 points and assists in 28 minutes in a game that ended in regulation against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. That gives you a pretty good idea of what his role will look like moving forward, and we’re feeling good about it heading into this meeting with the Warriors.
Golden State has not been a good defensive team this year, with the group being 16th in the league in defensive rating. The Warriors are also weakest at the point of attack, where Jordan Poole constantly lets guys blow by him. With that said, Westbrook should have no trouble getting into the paint, where he’ll have opportunities to finish at the basket or find his teammates.
Los Angeles is also fourth in the league in pace of play if you just look at the last three games, which is a clear sign of how the team intends to play with Westbrook at point guard. That means you can count on a lot of extra possessions in this one.
Bet: Westbrook Over 22.5 Points + Assists (-105)
Did you know that you can parlay these three picks together at +813 odds? Try out our VSiN Parlay Calculator HERE!
