Each week, Props.com selects five intriguing player and/or team NBA betting props from a busy night of action. Then we do what we do best: Provide in-depth analysis that you can choose to use (or not use!) for wagering purposes.
Here are our five favorite props from Monday’s slate of eight games.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings, and updated as of 3 p.m. ET Nov. 8.
New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers
The Prop: 54.5 combined first-quarter points
The Odds: Over -115/Under -105
The Knicks and Sixers are tied for the NBA’s ninth-highest first-quarter scoring averages at 28.3 points per game. As such, the teams’ combined first-quarter average of 56.6 notches a solid two points above this prop number.
However, two factors point in the direction of the Under here. First, the Knicks are averaging 27.6 first-quarter points on the road this season, and over their last three games overall, they’ve poured in just 23.7 points in the opening 12 minutes.
As for the Sixers, they’re putting up 26.3 first-quarter points during their ongoing six-game winning streak. Also, Philadelphia’s offense has been more productive in the first quarter on the road (28.8 ppg) than at home (27.8 ppg)
Finally, when these teams faced off in New York on Oct. 26, the 76ers held a 26-23 lead after one quarter — that 49-point total was a solid 5.5 points below this number.
Chicago Bulls: SG DeMar DeRozan
The Prop: 32.5 combined points/rebounds/assists (vs. Brooklyn)
The Odds: Over -105/Under -115
DeRozan has been lighting up the scoreboard of late, averaging 33.8 points in his last four games while shooting 60.7 percent from the field. Also, the veteran guard has cleared 32.5 points/rebounds/assists seven times in his last eight outings.
So the Over is a slam dunk here, right? Well, maybe not when you consider tonight’s opponent. Dating back to his days with the Spurs, DeRozan has eclipsed this 32.5 number just twice in his last six games against the Nets.
Plus, Brooklyn enters this one ranked ninth overall in scoring defense, surrendering just 103.3 points through 10 games. That’s a major upgrade from last season, when the Nets allowed 114.1 points per contest.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Prop: Grizzlies -3.5 in the first half (vs. Minnesota)
The Odds: Grizzlies -105/Timberwolves -115
The Grizzlies have produced a halftime lead in three of four home games this season. However, in those four home outings, Memphis led by as many as four points just once — back on opening night against the Cavaliers (73-61 advantage).
Overall, the Grizzlies have covered the halftime spread in four of their nine games; conversely, the Timberwolves own a 5-2-1 ATS mark after 24 minutes of action.
Also, in its lone road game to date, Minnesota knocked off defending champion Milwaukee thanks to a first-half explosion of 66 points, winning the first half 66-58.
Miami Heat: PG Kyle Lowry
The Prop: 6.5 assists (at Denver)
The Odds: Over -115/Under -105
Charting his last seven games with the Heat, Lowry (career average: 6.3 assists) has notched eight or more assists five times. And dating back to March 2018, Lowry has an ongoing five-game streak of seven-plus assists when facing the Nuggets. During this selfless stretch versus Denver, Lowry is averaging 8.6 dimes.
Bolstered by Lowry’s arrival, the Heat this season rank fourth overall in scoring offense, averaging 111.7 points per game. However, tonight, Lowry and Co. run up against a stout Nuggets defense that currently stands fourth in field goals allowed (37.4 per contest) and 11th in fewest assists by the opposition (21.7 per game).
Not to be overlooked, of course, is the potential altitude factor, as Lowry and the Heat go from sea level in South Beach to the Mile High City.
Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings
The Prop: 229 combined points (alternate total)
The Odds: Over +115/Under -155
The Kings (115.3 points per game, 7th overall) and Suns (110.3 points per contest, 10th overall) are among the NBA’s highest-scoring teams this season. Plus, Phoenix’s defense rates last in three-pointers allowed (14.9 triples per game).
However, toppling this alternate total — which is 3 points higher than the actual Over/Under — might be a stretch, given that Phoenix and Sacramento have gone Over 229 points in a combined five of 18 games this season.
Also, the Suns and Kings have averaged just 221.5 points in their last eight head-to-head encounters, going over 229 just twice. That includes their first meeting in Phoenix on Oct. 27, when Sacramento prevailed 110-107
That said, the Suns are coming off two shootouts at home — Thursday’s 123-111 victory over Houston, followed by Saturday’s 121-117 triumph over Atlanta. And prior to Sunday’s 94-91 home loss to Indiana, Sacramento put up 113, 112, and 140 points in successive outings.
