NBA Best Bets & Player Props Today, 2/13: Deandre Ayton Kept in Check
The sportsbooks have brought in relief pitchers, and they worked a great breaking ball yesterday. Three up and three down. Jamal Murray was injured, Luka Doncic was under by over ten points, and Victor Wembanyama had a triple double – some nights are like that in the betting world.
Not to worry as we are still well on pace for forty units, but we want winners, and today we look for some great lines with six games. Two games are nationally televised on TNT; the Oklahoma City Thunder at Orlando Magic starts at 7:30 and the Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns follow with a 10:00 PM ET.
Tonight’s wagers are on the big men, rim rebounders and paint dominators of the Association. We look at Domantas Sabonis in the second game of the doubleheader. There is also a wager in the night cap 10:30 PM ET match between the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers, as Jalen Duren’s line is evaluated. The Bet of the Night is in a Northwest Division rivalry as the Minnesota Timberwolves play the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. DeAndre Ayton makes a return to Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets.
Expert NBA Best Bet Today, 2/13
Deandre Ayton Player Props: Under 8.5 Rebounds (+120 at DraftKings)
DeAndre Ayton has been lackluster for the Portland Trail Blazers, despite them thinking he would be the player they build young talent around. He has been inconsistent all of this year, and it is reflected in his rebounding. He has recorded eight or less rebounds in five of his last eleven games, his minutes are anywhere from twenty-two to forty plus, and he has scored five to twenty-seven points during that span.
Though sporadic on the stat sheet, tonight is not a good matchup for the twenty-five-year-old. The Minnesota Timberwolves allow the seventh fewest rebounds to opposing centers, and the second fewest rebounds to opposing teams with 48.9. Rudy Gobert has a rebounding line of 12.5 on most sportsbooks and has the second highest rebounds per game average in the NBA. Forwards Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels are capable of grabbing rebounds as well.
Ayton could get in foul trouble against the great defender Gobert, or it could be a game DAyton does not give as much effort. A tough night for Ayton is a good night for us, and the data indicates it could be a low rebounding night for him.
NBA Predictions & Player Props Today, 2/13
Domantas Sabonis Player Props: Under 13.5 Rebounds (-115 at BetMGM)
Domantas Sabonis is the leading rebounder in the Association, with an average of 13.2 rebounds per game. His line has been set at 13.5 recently, and he has cashed on the under recently. He has thirteen or less rebounds in two of his last three games, and three of his last six. The Phoenix Suns allow the fourth fewest rebounds per game, 49.5 per game, playing even tougher at home with 48.6 average. As great as Sabonis is, he will have his hands full against the tough Jusuf Nurkic tonight.
In addition to that Kevin Durant has an average of 6.5 rebounds per game, with eight or more in four of his last five games. The Suns have a better point differential, and both are looking to get a win after losing their last game. The Kings are also on their second road game and the Suns are only 0.5 games ahead of the Kings as both teams try to avoid the play-in tournament. Look for the under on the leading rebounder tonight.
Jalen Duren Player Props: Over 11.5 Rebounds (-136 at FanDuel)
Jalen Duren has been one of the best and most reliable rebounders in the league. He currently has the third best rebounds per game average with 12.2. He has been a reliable player on an unreliable team. He has gone over this line in four of his five games this month, and six of his last eight games.
The Pistons are on an extensive road trip, but have won two of the last three games, and they gave the Los Angeles Clippers as much as they can handle. Luckily for Detroit they didn’t have to move cities or even hotels over their past four days, so in some ways it has been a relaxing break. They play their second game in a row at Crypto.com Arena and Duren should be charged for his match up against Anthony Davis.
The Lakers allow 51.3 rebounds per game, and the eighth most rebounds to opposing centers. Duren has cashed most of his rebounding lines for this column, and tonight should be the same result. Trust the young man on the glass tonight.
Thanks for reading. Remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your fantasy and betting needs across multiple sports.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
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ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Rockets.
Okogie was waived by the Hornets last week. The 26-year-old shooting guard has averaged just 6.3 points per game over the course of his eight-year career, but offers substantially more on the defensive end. Okogie ranked behind only Dyson Daniels and Alex Caruso in steals per 100 possessions last season (min. 600 minutes played). Okogie continues to add to the depth the Rockets have built up this offseason.
Lakers waived C Trey Jemison.
Jemison appeared in 38 games during the 2024-25 season, with 22 coming as a member of the Lakers. In those 22 outings, the 6-foot-11 center averaged 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.3 minutes. Waiving Jemison was necessary, as the team needed to free up a two-way contract slot. Having already agreed to a two-way deal with undrafted rookie Eric Dixon after last month’s draft, the Lakers recently agreed to sign Christian Koloko and Chris Manon to similar deals.
Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reports the Suns are interested in restricted free agent PF Jonathan Kuminga.
To say the restricted free agency market has been harsh would be an understatement, as there has been little movement for multiple players. That includes Kuminga, the subject of some sign-and-trade rumors at the beginning of free agency. While Phoenix, who has moved on from Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, is reportedly interested in the athletic forward, getting him would be difficult. In addition to the Warriors having the right to match any offer sheet that Kuminga would sign, the Suns lack the necessary assets, especially draft capital, to make something happen. Phoenix has the cap space following the Durant and Beal exits, but the price paid to land those two stars has left the cupboard bare otherwise.
Magic signed Orlando Robinson to a two-way contract.
Robinson, who spent last season with the Raptors and Kings, will get a fresh start back in Florida after spending the first two years of his career with the Heat. Robinson will likely spend most of his time in the G League, and it will be a tall task for him to move up the depth chart with Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze and Moritz Wagner playing the center minutes.
Lakers plan to sign Christian Koloko and Chris Manon to two-way contracts.
Koloko will remain with the Lakers for another season, though he likely won’t see the floor often behind Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes. Both Koloko and Manon, who played for the Warriors during summer league, will likely spend most of next season in the G League.