Wednesday’s NBA slate has eight games on the calendar, including an ESPN doubleheader that can't be missed.
We've put together four best bets for NBA player props ahead of tonight's games for your consideration, including wagering markets highlighting superstars LeBron James and Joel Embiid.
ESPN's first game is a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview featuring the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET. Then, we'll see the Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers at 10:30 p.m. ET.
There's not much better than an NBA showcase of Jayson Tatum vs. Joel Embiid and De’Aaron Fox vs LeBron James.
Our NBA best prop bets look to identify top angles and trends to be aware of as bettors handicap these games.
Celtics vs. 76ers player props: Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid are best bets
Jayson Tatum UNDER points
In the first matchup of the season between the Sixers and Celtics, Tatum was held to 16 points on 6-for-14 shooting from the field. Only three of his shot attempts were in the paint.
That’s largely due to the additions of Nicolas Batum and Robert Covington, who made it challenging for him to create dribble penetration and find easier shots.
When Tatum could make it into the paint, Embiid's massive wingspan bothered him.
Tatum can usually get his shot against anyone he wants, but the length and quickness of Batum and Covington for the duration of the game bothered him. Tatum almost always has an advantage on at least one of his primary defenders during a game.
That isn’t the case against the Sixers anymore, and it showed in their first outing. He will likely outperform his 16-point performance from the first battle, but not by much.
Joel Embiid OVER assists
Embiid has failed to reach five or more assists in only three of the Sixers’ 10 games. His passing game has improved dramatically over the years, and now, he has even more shooters around him on the court.
All four of his fellow starters shoot at least 35% from three. When teams double Embiid to slow him down in the paint, he is doing a good job at finding them, and they are rewarding his trust.
Additionally, the Celtics may be without their starting center, Kristaps Porzingis, who is questionable tonight with a knee contusion. However, whether it’s Porzingis or Al Horford, the Celtics need additional help defending Embiid on the block.
In 15 career games, Embiid is averaging 26 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists on 47% shooting against Horford. That includes 52- and 41-point outings last year. With help down low certainly part of the game plan, Embiid is set up well to cover this line tonight.
Kings vs. Lakers player props: LeBron James and De'Aaron Fox to hit their point totals
LeBron James OVER points
At this stage of his career, James is at his best when he is attacking the rim. Tonight, he is up against a Kings team in the bottom 10 points allowed in the paint per game. Each of James’ big scoring performances this season has come against teams that are average or worse in points allowed in the paint.
He scored 25 or more against Phoenix, Miami, and the Clippers, all struggling to protect the rim.
He also torched Sacramento with 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting in their matchup earlier this season. Without much resistance at the rim, the Kings don’t have a good shot at slowing him down.
Additionally, the Lakers finally have Anthony Davis back in the lineup. With Davis on the court, teams can’t focus on James as much, making life much easier for the nearly 40-year-old superstar.
De’Aaron Fox OVER points
Fox has only played in four games this season and scored at least 28 points in three of those games. This includes his 37-point performance against the Lakers back in October.
In their first meeting, the Lakers were without Davis and their best defender, Jarred Vanderbilt. They’ll have Davis back in this one, but not Vanderbilt.
Having Davis back help makes scoring in the paint more of a challenge for Fox, but that’s about it. No one in the Lakers’ starting lineup can defend Fox one-on-one. As the team’s primary playmaker and scorer, he’ll have free rein to navigate Los Angeles’ defense and cause chaos.
So far this season, he is averaging 30.5 points on 50% from the field and 36.7% from three-point range. Although the Lakers have Davis back in the lineup, they are just a tenth of a point away from being a bottom-10 defensive team in points allowed.
Their defensive woes will require health and time to overcome, neither of which they’ll have before tipoff tonight.
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