The App is Back! Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts and track your favorite players. Plus, now you can check out articles and player cards. Get it here!
The NBA continues tonight with a jam-packed 12-game slate, with the first game tipping off at 5:00 PM ET.
The offseason rule changes for the NBA to eliminate ticky-tack fouls have been working as planned. Many fans and players are enjoying the game’s flow and the physicality that has been missing in the last few years.
However, from a player prop perspective, it is impacting players scoring averages. For instance, nine of the highest volume shooters in the league are seeing over a 5% drop in their shooting fouls drawn rate from the 2020-21 season via Owen Phillips.
With all that said, let’s jump into my favorite NBA prop bets for Saturday’s slate. All odds are from PointsBet Sportsbook and are reflective at the time of writing.
Best Bet #1 - Devin Booker over 4.5 assists (+105)
Devin Booker‘s game is known for his ability to score from anywhere on the court and his ‘Mamba Mentality’ toughness, but his ability to get teammates open looks is often overlooked.
Booker averaged 4.6 assists last year and is averaging five assists per game for the Phoenix Suns in their first four games of the 2021-22 season. According to the NBA’s advanced statistics, that number could be even high as he averages 8.8 potential assists per game. Not to mention, it is his 25th birthday today. There isn’t much data to support players’ stat increases on their birthday, but Booker did have five-assist the last time he played on his birthday.
Join us in wishing @DevinBook of the @Suns a HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY! #NBABDAY pic.twitter.com/D82XjrWfr6
— NBA (@NBA) October 30, 2021
Tonight’s matchup where the Suns will be hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers favors Booker and his assist total. The Cavaliers are in the bottom half of the league for assist per game, allowing 24 in each outing. Moreover, the two-time All-star has a career average of 6.55 assists against Cleveland. Our NBC Sports Edge projection model predicts that the two-time all-star will have 6.2 assists tonight.
The Cavaliers will also be on the second leg of their back-to-back. Their tired legs will impact their ability to pressure players on the perimeters, allowing for easier looker and more assists.
Booker has exceeded this prop value in seven of his last nine games against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Best Bet #2 - Kyle Kuzma Over 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (-135)
Kyle Kuzma has been a massive factor for the Washington Wizards during their 4-1 start. He is averaging a double-double with 15.2 points and 10.8 assists and knocking down two three-pointers a game.
Kuzma is only shooting 30.3% from three to start the year, but he shoots them at such a high volume that his percentage does not come into play as much, given that this prop value is so low. Kuzma is averaging 6.6 attempts from behind the arc each game.
Additionally, the Wizards will be up against the Boston Celtics tonight, a team in the bottom five of the league for an opponent three-point percentage. They allow teams to shoot an average of 38.1% from three a game.
Kyle Kuzma has exceeded this prop value in three of the Wizard’s five games this season.
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner, and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.