Ricky Dimon
NBA
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We have just a four-game schedule in the NBA on Thursday, headlined by a double-header on TNT. It begins with the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Atlanta Hawks before the Boston Celtics pay a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry will look to continue his scorching hot form when the Golden State Warriors visit the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Let’s take a look at the three best player prop bets for Thursday’s slate.
Draymond Green Over 8.5 assists (-120)
Curry is pouring in points at ridiculous rates even by his standards, and that is what’s naturally grabbing the headlines. But don’t overlook what Green is doing with his assists counts. The do-it-all veteran dished out an absurd 16 assists against Oklahoma City on Tuesday and he has recorded at least seven in nine consecutive contests. Green averages 8.6 apg for the season; there is no reason he can’t exceed that just slightly and get to nine—at least—against Cleveland on Thursday. The Cavaliers are watching opponents assist on 59.5 percent of their made baskets in 2020-21. Although the Hornets scored only 90 points earlier this week, they assisted on 23 of their 34 field goals. It should also be noted that Green has logged at least 30 minutes in seven of the last eight games, including at least 36 minutes on three of those occasions. With Kelly Oubre Jr. sidelined, Green will continue to see a heavy workload and the opportunities for more dimes will be plentiful.
Dennis Schroder to score more points than Kemba Walker (+110)
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the shelf, Schroder has been increasing his workload for the Lakers. The veteran point guard has played at least 36 minutes in three of the last four games (including 40 against Miami a week ago) and he has scored at least 19 points in each of the last three. Over the past three contests, Schroder is 22-of-43 from the floor. As for Walker, none of his star teammates are sidelined so he is Boston’s third scoring option. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown shouldering the load, Walker has scored less than his 17.7 ppg average in five of the last six outings. He has scored 14 or fewer on four of those occasions. The Lakers are No. 2 in the NBA in fewest three-pointers allowed per game and sixth in opponents’ three-point shooting percentage. Walker likes to do a lot of his damage from deep (28 such attempts over the last three games), so he may be in for a tough night).
Deandre Ayton Over 16.5 points (-108)
Ayton has to like his matchup with Sacramento Kings on Thursday. In fact, Sacramento is dead last in the entire NBA in points in the paint allowed per game. They are giving up almost 54 such points when they take the floor, and they just let Washington score 64 paint points in the Wizards’ 123-111 victory on Wednesday. Sacramento will be playing on tired legs in the second game of a back-to-back situation and a meeting with one of the sport’s best big men will only add insult to injury. Ayton has scored at least 18 points in five of the last six games, including 27 at Houston’s expense last week. He is shooting 69.1 percent from the field in April.
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