There’s a chance that you’ve heard of Underdog Fantasy. Whether it’s their infamous best ball fantasy drafts or their pick’em prop challenges, Underdog has something for everyone. This article will focus on the second part of that, uncovering some of the best Underdog Fantasy NBA Props for Thursday, Jan. 13.
If you haven’t played on Underdog Fantasy yet, then fear not! Getting started is very simple:
- Create an account on Underdog Fantasy.
- Use the promo code PROPS to claim an extra $10 on your first deposit.
- Go to the Pick’em Games.
- Make two or more selections to receive a correlated payout of 3x, 6x, 10x, 20x.
It’s pretty fun, and Underdog Fantasy is available in most states except for the following: Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Louisiana, Montana, Washington, Delaware, and Iowa.
We’ve got five games on the schedule for Thursday, so let’s get right into it with our favorite NBA Props on the night.
Giannis Antetokuonmpo UNDER 48.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
One of the top three favorites to win the NBA MVP this season, Giannis Antetokuonmpo, has been a machine, ranking third in the league in points per game (28.4) and sixth in rebounds per game (11.4). While the assists have still been respectable at six per contest, the 48.5 mark seems just a little too high for comfort here.
Giannis has only hit the over on the 48.5 mark 13 times in 34 games this season, limiting confidence against a Golden State team that’s currently allowing the fewest points per game (101.3), the third-fewest rebounds (42.1), and tied for first in fewest assists (21.6). The last time Giannis played against Golden State, he put up 34 in this category with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists, but that was back in 2019.
While he should get close to the mark, the under makes too much sense here.
Editor’s Note: New to NBA props? Check out our complete NBA Props Betting Guide.
Stephen Curry OVER 26.5 Points
From one MVP frontrunner to another, we understand there may be some trepidation here, given Stephen Curry’s nine-point effort in 32 minutes against Miami followed by a 14-point game against Dallas. But those low totals seem much more the exception than the rule this season.
Curry is still averaging 26.8 points per game this season, and that’s AFTER taking those low-scoring games into account. In 11 of 19 games (58%) against opponents with a winning record, Curry has hit the over. Even better, Curry’s also exceeded 26.5 points in both games since Klay Thompson returned to the lineup.
Steve Kerr designed the first play for Klay Thompson to be a decoy. Klay re-designed the play so he could take a shot. Here's Steph Curry's telling of it. pic.twitter.com/u6amDPs2mI
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 10, 2022
With more space to stretch the floor, expect Curry to get into a groove in this massive showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jonas Valanciunas OVER 11.5 Rebounds
There haven’t been many bright spots for the New Orleans Pelicans this season, but Jonas Valanciunas has been a rare exception. Valanciunas is approaching career highs in points and rebounds this season, and against the LA Clippers on Thursday night, you can expect another big rebounding effort.
In 38 games this season, Valanciunas has put up 12 or more rebounds 26 times. He’s also exceeded 12 boards in 72% of his games against Western Conference opponents. If that weren’t enough, Valanciunas put up a 17 rebound game against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday and grabbed 12 boards against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.
The Clippers rank 25th in the league in rebounding, paving the way for a massive effort on the glass from Valanciunas.
Anthony Edwards UNDER 3.5 Assists
It’s no secret Anthony Edwards is the real deal in Minnesota and needs to take over as the face of the team. Playing against the third-place Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, I’d expect another game of around 20 field goal attempts from Edwards.
While scoring shouldn’t be a problem, dishing out assists could be difficult. Edwards has failed to reach 3.5 assists in 19 of 35 games this season (54.3%). He’s also put up four or more assists just seven times in 18 contests against teams with a winning record.
Memphis gives up the ninth-most assists per game (24.8) to their opponents this season, but the assists in this one are much more likely to come from D’Angelo Russell or Patrick Beverly. The under is the play here.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OVER 22.5 Points
Oklahoma City is a seven-point underdog on the road against Brooklyn in this one, meaning Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs to have an excellent shooting performance to keep things close. On the season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 22.2 points per game, but we expect him to step up against the Nets.
He’s hit the over in 18-of-35 games, a shade over 50%, and the same bodes true in road games, where Gilgeous-Alexander is 9-of-16 to the over. He’s also 6-of-10 against Eastern Conference opponents.
Have said it on the pod, but there simply isn't a driver in the NBA like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Just limbos his way into inside leverage. Dude's slithery. pic.twitter.com/UjWcwNsFMw
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) January 12, 2022
Brooklyn has struggled at home this season, both in scoring points (108.6 at home, 114.9 away) and in points allowed (109.2 home, 108.1 away). At 5-5 in their last ten games, the Nets are starting to show some signs of weakness, opening the door for Gilgeous-Alexander to take advantage.
