NBA Prop Bets Today: Jarrett Allen and Jusuf Nurkic amongst best NBA Player Props for Thursday

Germantas Kneita

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Like most Lithuanians, I started watching basketball from the age of six. I'm based out in London and played basketball at the University of Lincoln here in the UK. I had always had an interest in the NBA but things really took off in the summer of 2010. That year Linas Kleiza led Lithuania to 3rd place at the World Championships and signed with the Toronto Raptors to replace the departing Chris Bosh. I've been a Raptors fan since that day and I've not missed a game since. I've been handicapping games for more than a decade, specializing in player props. For Germantas Kneita media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.

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Jarrett Allen (CLE) over 8.5 rebounds (-104)

Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.

Jarrett Allen has managed to hit the over on this in 3 of his last 5 games with one of the games he did not manage it was against the Chicago Bulls and their floor spacing center Nikola Vucevic. His matchup tonight Jakob Poeltl does not possess the same range. It is no surprise then that not being pulled away from the rim to contest shots allowed Allen to average 11.3 rebounds against the Raptors last season. That should not change ahead of this contest.

The Raptors are just 24th in rebounding percentage this season, so cleaning the glass has not been a collective strength. And with the Cavaliers 11th in defensive rating, there should more than enough boards for Allen to chase. Scottie Barnes also has made 44.4% of his 3-point attempts this season, which will force Evan Mobley to respect his shot and close out to the perimeter, leaving Allen with the rebounding duties.

Jusuf Nurkic (UTA) over 3.5 assists (+110)

Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.

With Walker Kessler being out for the season, Jusuf Nurkic has seen a major increase in minutes. He has surpassed the 30-minute mark in 3 of his last 5 games. And considering he is one of the better passing centers in the NBA, it is no surprise to see him record at least 4 assists in 4 of those games. That should continue to happen tonight against the Atlanta Hawks, who are not exactly lighting the world on fire defensively to this point.

Nurkic should be able to get great positions under the rim against Kristaps Porzingis. But due to the Latvian’s length, do not be surprised to see the Utah Jazz center look for cutters or dish out to shooters instead of risking getting his shot blocked. With shooters like Lauri Markkanen and athletes like Ace Bailey around, they should be able to convert these Nurkic passes to assists.