Welcome to the weekend, yesterday was an hour-long highlight reel with record points, and some amazing road victories by the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Memphis Grizzlies. This column won both player props, and lost both parlays. Today we get away from the parlay madness and focus on bets available. With so many teams playing on Friday, which will be more common throughout the season, Saturday props are not always available until an injury/rest report is presented by the team. However there are three player props available and unless one of them rests they have favorable statistics on their side. One is on a rested player, the great Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the Milwaukee Bucks play in Houston versus the Rockets. There is also a bet on a rising center against the team that is the most center friendly in the Association, the New York Knicks versus the Washington Wizards. The Bet of the Night is a player prop in an Eastern Conference battle between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers.

 

NBA BET OF THE NIGHT

JAYLEN BROWN OVER 21.5 POINTS (-125 BetMGM; 2 UNITS)

The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers are on the second of back-to-back games, but the first of two against each other. The Celtics set a franchise record with most consecutive games scoring over 120 points, currently at nine. A large part of that has been Jaylen Brown who has five games with twenty-four or more points in that span. His January numbers have dipped down a little as other Celtics players have increased their point production. However this match  is against the Indiana Pacers who allow the second most points per game in the Association. More specifically they allow the second most to shooting guards. J. Brown played less than twenty-seven minutes in the blowout win over the Utah Jazz yesterday and should not need to have a day of rest. Another point is this line is under his average, against a team that plays a style of basketball that welcomes points from opposing teams, and in return says we will be quicker and therefore score more. Brown could be in for another thirty plus point game, trust the double unit.

NBA PLAYER PROP BETS

ISIAH HARTENSTEIN OVER 20.5 COMBINED POINTS AND REBOUNDS (-125 BetMGM)

Isiah Hartenstein has played well in place of Mitchell Robinson. From a fantasy perspective he has been scoring above average compared to other centers, and his presence in the paint is noticeable. He has thirty-five rebounds and ten blocks over the past three games, in addition to his thirty-four points. Last night the New York Knicks just scored their most points in Philadelphia since 1972, and although playing the second of back-to-backs on the road, are not traveling that far. It is also against the best statistical matchup for centers, the Washington Wizards. The Wizards are a Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bet favorite to bet against. There is an obvious disconnect and lack of professionalism amongst the players, and probably elsewhere in the organization. I. Hartenstein just played the best center in the Eastern Conference, Joel Embiid. He now gets to play the worst center in the Eastern Conference, Daniel Gafford. I. Hartenstein’s rebounding line is set at 11.5 which is five more than D. Gafford’s. I. Hartenstein had twenty rebounds two games ago and went over this combined line in his last two games. The Wizards allow the most rebounds and fourth most points to opposing centers, as long as this isn’t a complete blowout by the fourth quarter, I. Hartenstein has a good opportunity to cover the prop against a team that gives minimal effort at times. 

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO OVER 31.5 POINTS (-125 BetMGM)

Giannis Antetokounmpo is on a tear as of late and was named the Eastern Conference December Player of the Month. He is averaging 31.1 points per game, which is the second highest in the league. His point line is set at essentially that with the hook increased. It is a high point total but point records and largest win increments are being broken almost weekly. Giannis is going to bring effort every game he plays, and the Houston Rockets do not have an answer for Giannis defensively. He has played over thirty-five minutes per game in the past four games and the Bucks are coming off a days rest, while the Rockets are playing their second elite team in as many days. Look for Giannis to have a typical night of thirty-five points and thirteen rebounds.

 


Thank you for reading.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise