The NBA All-Star break has come and gone as just two months remain between now and the postseason. In both conferences, it’s crowded in the middle as teams jockey for position for the first seven guaranteed playoff spots.
Let’s take a closer look at the league’s return tonight and see where the value remains.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet >>
1. Nets +7.5 | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
Two teams that had been heading in opposite directions prior to the break will face off tonight in Brooklyn, as the Celtics come to town for the second time this month. The first, a 126-91 win, was part of a stretch where the Celtics won nine of 10 to close out the break. Now allowing teams just 103.5 points on an FG% of 42.9%, the Celtics are at the top of the league when it comes to defense.
I think we see a different Nets team tonight, however, as by all accounts a locker room cancer in James Harden is gone and two guys who have already made an immediate impact in Seth Curry and Andre Drummond are here. I like for the Nets to keep this one close and improve on their 9-1 ATS run vs. the Celtics in Brooklyn.
2. Grizzlies -2.5 | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
First-time All-Star Ja Morant returns to the court tonight to resume what has been a tremendous start to the season. Currently #3 in the East, the Grizzlies are tied for #1 in the league averaging 113.8 points per game, and #1 in the league in offensive rebounds per game at 48.9.
Tonight, they draw a Timberwolves team who is hanging on for dear life to the West’s 7th seed, despite allowing 111.7 points per game. While Minnesota strung together some good wins to start the month, I think we see an increasingly healthy and motivated Grizzlies team pull away from this one late.
3. Suns -10 | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
With Chris Paul out for likely the remainder of the regular season, there’s some uncertainty baked into this number that would otherwise be well into the double digits. I’m not overthinking it.
Averaging 113.7 points on 48.2% from the field, the Suns have been one of the hottest teams in the league offensively to start the month, with five wins of 121 or more on their most recent seven-game win streak.
On the other side of this matchup, the Thunder rank dead last in the league in points per game (101.2), FG% (41.8%), and 3PT% (31.3%), and that’s when they’ve been healthy. With Kenrich Williams and Luguentz Dort confirmed out, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also dealing with a nagging ankle injury. Look for the Suns to roll.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet >>
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