Monday Best Bets: One NBA Side, Two NBA Props

After taking the collar with our three Thursday best bets, the Props crew enjoyed a solid bounce-back effort by going 2-for-3 with Friday’s Best Bets.

That elevates the overall record to 17-13-1 since launching this Best Bets exercise. You better believe we’ll take 56.7%!

NBA Props have been on fire at 6-2, and Matt LaMarca has another red hot prop from the pro hardwood ready for Monday.

In addition, The Bostonian vs. The Book guys found a side they like among today’s NBA action, and the BetPrep folks are rolling with a familiar NBA face.

Yep, with just one game on the NHL schedule and some calm before the upcoming March Madness storm, it’s an NBA-heavy edition of Monday Best Bets! Let’s dive into it.

Best Bets Track Record

Friday: 2-1
Year-To-Date: 17-13-1

Bostonian vs. The Book: 5-3-1
BetPrep Prop of the Day: 3-6
NBA Props: 6-2
NHL Props: 3-2

NBA Side: Toronto Raptors At Los Angeles Lakers

The bet: Toronto -5 (at LA Lakers)
The odds: -110
Where to bet: BetMGM
From: Matt Perrault via The Bostonian Vs. The Book Podcast

The Bostonian vs. The Book Podcast are coming another positive week, hitting three of five best bets. The guys will attempt to maintain that momentum by backing the Toronto Raptors as a 4-point road favorite at the freefalling Lakers.

It’s a point spread that had Matt Perrault, co-host of Bostonian vs. The Book, scratching his head.

“What is this?” he asked incredulously. “Why are the Raptors only -4 to the Lakers?”

Perrault’s co-host, Dave Sharapan, agreed with the instinct to fade LeBron James and Co.

“I’m going to bet against the Lakers every single game until they win,” Sharapan said. “Then I might bet against them more the rest of the way.”

The Lakers are just 3-10 straight up over their last 13 games. That includes bad losses to bottom-feeding such as Portland, Houston, and New Orleans. Most recently, Phoenix (minus the injured Chris Paul) ripped through the Lakers 140-111 on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the Raptors arrive in Hollywood with a respectable 37-30 record on the season. Toronto has rattled off three straight wins — all on the road — including impressive victories over Phoenix (117-112 on Friday) and Denver (127-115) over the weekend.

This certainly seems like two teams heading in different directions. And the betting market concurs, as the line has moved from Toronto -4 to -5 at BetMGM. That’s still solid value if you’re inclined to follow this pick.

Perrault listed one other bet he likes during Monday’s Bostonian vs. The Book podcast — another NBA side. You can listen to the replay on Youtube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

NBA Prop: Golden State Warriors PG Stephen Curry

The bet: Over 3.5 made 3-pointers (vs. Washington)
The odds: -105
Where to bet: DraftKings
From: Matt LaMarca via Monday NBA Props

Curry was technically in the lineup for the Warriors on Saturday, but it seems like he was on the court solely for some exercise. The Warriors didn’t need him in a blowout win over the Bucks, and Curry attempted just seven shots over his 33-plus minutes.

That represents Curry’s first game this season with single-digit shot attempts. Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole did most of the damage, finishing with a combined 68 points and 13 made 3-pointers.

It’s been a down year for Curry from behind the arc, as the two-time MVP has converted a career-low 37.8% of his 3-point attempts. Still, he’s averaging 4.5 made 3-pointers per game, so 3.5 certainly is a reasonable number.

Curry has drilled at least four 3-pointers in 41 of 62 games (66.1%), so -105 to the Over makes for great value — even though Washington ranks second in the league in fewest triples allowed per game (10.9).

NBA Prop: Sacramento Kings F Harrison Barnes

The bet: Over 16.5 points (vs. Chicago)
The odds: -108
Where to bet: FanDuel
From: BetPrep Prop of the day via BetPrep.com

On Friday, the BetPrep crew found redemption in the form of San Antonio guard Dejounte Murray Over 7.5 rebounds. They’ll look to make it two in a row by riding with Kings forward Harrison Barnes Over 16.5 points in a home matchup against the Bulls.

Here’s the rationale behind this BetPrep best bet:

• Barnes has gone Over 16.5 points in 15 of his last 20 games
• Within that stretch, Barnes has scored at least 17 points in seven of his last eight at home
• The North Carolina product has surpassed this prop number 10 of the last 12 times Sacramento has taken the court as an underdog (as the Kings will Monday night)

Also, since the All-Star break, Barnes is averaging more than 36 minutes, 10 field-goal attempts, and seven-free throw attempts per game. Last time we checked, all those factors are conducive to scoring points.

You can find Barnes Over 16.5 points at respectable -108 odds at FanDuel.