NBA Player Props Today | Picks for Simone Fontecchio, Donte DiVincenzo (Saturday, Feb. 24)
There are only three games on the NBA schedule on the first weekend back from the All-Star break. In the table below, you will find my top two NBA player props for Saturday, February 24, including over bets from two sharpshooting role players — Simone Fontecchio and Donte DiVincenzo. Let's break down how I am targeting these two players tonight.
| Time (ET) | Player Prop |
|---|---|
| 8 p.m. | |
| 8:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | |
After a promising year and a half with the Utah Jazz, Simone Fontecchio was dealt at the trade deadline to the Detroit Pistons. In just four games with his new team, Fontecchio has flourished, averaging a career-high 15 points per game. Despite playing at home, the Pistons are still 7.5-point road underdogs hosting the Magic, implied for 108 points.
The 6-foot-7 forward from Italy is known for his perimeter shooting, which is a piece that the Pistons desperately need. The Pistons rank 29th in 3-pointers made at 11.2 per game, while only averaging 112.9 points per game. They rank 25th in offensive rating, making Fontecchio is a perfect fit alongside rising stars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren.
Fontecchio has made at least two 3-pointers in each game he has played since joining the Pistons, while attempting 6.5 3-pointers per game. His usage rate has climbed to 20.4% and his playing time has jumped to 28 minutes per game despite the Pistons losing all four contests by an average of 12.5 points per game.
Projected to play around 30 minutes tonight, Fontecchio will have plenty of opportunities to let it rain from distance to try to keep the Pistons competitive.
Our prop model has Fontecchio projected to make 2.4 3-pointers in this matchup against the Magic. The best odds to capture this over is on FanDuel. I would bet this prop up to -150, but I would not take it if it jumped to 2.5 3-pointers made. The Magic have been strong defensively, ranking fifth in defensive rating this season and allowing only 110.8 points per game.
However, given the volume increase for Fontecchio, this is one of the best bets on the board tonight.
Pick: Simone Fontecchio Over 1.5 3-Pointers Made (-130 at FanDuel)
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From one sharpshooting role player to the next, Donte DiVincenzo has taken the starting shooting guard role and ran with it. In the 37 games that DiVincenzo has started this season, he is averaging 16.5 points per game. That is exactly where his player prop is tonight with the New York Knicks hosting the Boston Celtics as 6.5-point underdogs.
With Julius Randle continuing to nurse his shoulder injury and OG Anunoby out with an elbow injury, DiVincenzo's role has risen. In his last nine games since the Randle injury, DiVincenzo is averaging an impressive 25.3 points per game with a 25.5% usage rate. During that time, he has averaged 5.1 3-pointers made and is playing an absurd 39.7 minutes per game.
Our prop model has DiVincenzo projected to score 20.3 points tonight. Given the injuries to Randle and Anunoby paired with how well DiVincenzo has played recently, this prop line is way too low. The Knicks desperately need scoring outside of Jalen Brunson and DiVincenzo has stepped up in a big way.
He is not afraid to let it fly, which we love for the over. DiVincenzo has averaged 20.8 field goals and 13 3-point attempts per game in his last nine games.
Given DiVincenzo's willingness to let it fly, especially from behind the arc, this is a great opportunity to climb the ladder. DiVincenzo to score 20+ points is +145 at DraftKings and he has eclipsed that total in seven of his last nine games. I also don't mind a sprinkle for DiVincenzo to score 25+ points at +380. He has done that in five of his last nine contests.
Either way, this is an incredible spot for DiVincenzo to light it up from distance. The Celtics rank 27th in 3-pointers allowed at 37.6 per game. That is where the Knicks can take advantage tonight.
Pick: Donte DiVincenzo Over 16.5 Points (-130 at DraftKings)
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