The NBA gets back into action after a night off where the UCONN vs Purdue NCAA Tournament Finals was the spotlight of the basketball community. Now we get a jam packed, loaded with action 14 game NBA slate! Only two teams will not be participating in the NBA madness that will ensue this evening, the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers. Otherwise, the entire league is going, and there will be plenty of spots to find prop angles. Let's dive in!
NBA Player Props for Tuesday, April 9
This is a very strong prop line to grab for three reasons. First, Derrick Lively is OUT and Gafford is going to continue to start and handle a large share of the big minutes. Even Maxi Kleber is questionable who spends some time at Center. The game total has been steadily rising, meaning the pace and scoring output is expected to be higher than what has been set by the market. And finally, the Charlotte Hornets really like size and strength, and Gafford should have a strong matchup advantage against Grant Williams/Miles Bridges and other undersized bigs the Hornets have been using in the front court. Considering Gaffords offensive efficiency, I expect him to clear this 11.5 line vs a small and young team.
Pick: Daniel Gafford Over 11.5 Points (-108 on FanDuel)
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Back to the well! When I write the prop piece, this is often a first look and yet again fits the bill for a good play. BogBog has averaged 20 points per game, 35.5 minutes, and 15 field goal attempts over his last 10 games. His usage is going up since Trae Young is out of the lineup and he is starting and being a secondary playmaker to Dejounte Murray. This game total against the Miami Heat is also rising and surprisingly higher for recent Heat games. With the Heat returning Tyler Herro and seemingly keeping him or Duncan Robinson on the court at all times, Bogdan Bogdanovic should have the matchups to exploit on the perimeter. I expect Rozier and Butler to each take turns at Murray, and Butler to also spend time wreaking havoc on Jalen Johnson. The leftover will be Bogdanovic asked to shoulder an offensive load for the Hawks.
Pick: Bogdan Bogdanovic Over 17.5 Points (-105 on DraftKings)
Nobody in this game is going to know those rims better in Portland than long time Trailblazer CJ McCollum! CJ has been ramping up his scoring and minutes in recent games with the Pelicans struggling and losing 4 of their last 5. The Pelicans are already down Brandon Ingram, and Zion will have to deal with frontcourt depth of Ayton and Reath to protect the rim. CJ has played nearly 40 minutes per game while averaging 23 field goal attempts per game. The usage is crazy high, the matchup is right, and the upside value makes this worth a small play!
Evaluating all of the lines given out, I would play a full unit on Gafford, and half units on Bogdanovic and McCollum!
Pick: CJ McCollum Leading Scorer in Pelicans/Blazers Game (+250 FanDuel)
