The All-Star break concludes and NBA action resumes on Thursday, with a loaded 12-game slate set to tip off between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. ET. As we do, we will highlight the best bets and top props from the evening’s games.
We have a lot to look forward to in tonight’s slate. In the East, Donovan Mitchell and the red-hot Cavs host the Magic while the Sixers and Knicks will battle in Philly. We’ll also see the conference-leading Celtics play the always-scrappy Bulls and Tyrese Haliburton’s Pacers face the young Pistons.
In the West, rivals Luka Doncic and Devin Booker face off in a Suns-Mavs tilt, while the Clippers and Thunder square off in a battle of conference behemoths. Closing out the night, the Lakers and Warriors compete in the latest Golden State shootout, while Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs head to Sacramento to face the Kings.
This lineup of games is stacked, and the value betting opportunities are as plentiful as ever. Let’s dive right into our favorite player props for the Thursday night slate of NBA action. Check back throughout the day, as we may add props as we see fit and update odds when the lines move. Good luck, have fun, and enjoy the NBA’s first day back out of the break!
Best NBA Player Prop Bets Today (2/22)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander points (Thunder vs. Clippers) — OVER 30.5 (-125)
We usually don’t buy into revenge-game narratives, but let’s face it — SGA loves sticking it to the team that dealt him away in a package for Paul George. OKC now sits above the Clippers in the Western Conference standings, and Gilgeous-Alexander is as legit an MVP candidate as anyone not named Jokic. This should be a statement game for the Thunder, who casual fans seem to take more seriously with every big win.
SGA averages a whopping 31.6 points per home game, and the Clippers often get hit the hardest by strong offensive point guards. With plenty of rest coming into this game, expect the 25-year-old All-Star to take it to James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and the Clippers from the opening tip to the final whistle.
Donovan Mitchell three-pointers (Cavaliers vs. Magic) — UNDER 3.5 (-175)
Don’t be discouraged by the -175 here — this is still great value! The Magic are one of the best three-point defenses in the NBA, allowing opponents to average just 11.7 per game (fifth-fewest) and 35.6 percent from distance (eighth-best). Orlando is even better on the road, with opponents shooting a collective 35.4 percent from deep (sixth).
Over the three games Cleveland has played the Magic this season, Mitchell has hit a total of just 10 treys. And as hot as he has been, Spida has exceeded three triples in just seven of the Cavs’ past 14 games. Every stat trend here tells us to hammer the UNDER, even if our potential payout is a bit diluted. Casual bettors will hammer the OVER because of the star power and Mitchell’s barrage of 30-point games in 2024, but the odds are very low that he hits four-plus from long range.
Victor Wembanyama rebounds (Spurs at Kings) — UNDER 10.5 (-110)
Wembanyama and the Spurs begin the home stretch of the season against the NBA’s leader in triple-doubles, Domantas Sabonis, so rebounds won’t be easy to come by. We’ve seen Wemby finish with single-digit boards in three of San Antonio’s past four games, and a rusty visit to the raucous Golden 1 Center shouldn’t spark much confidence in his ability to suddenly pull down 11.
In his only game against Sacramento, Wembanyama grabbed nine in 30 minutes. He has yet to log 30-plus in any game this month, and has just two games with 30-plus minutes since Dec. 19. Bet the UNDER and enjoy the modest odds.
Rui Hachimura rebounds (Lakers at Warriors) — OVER 5.5 (+115)
With the Lakers facing a below-average rebounding squad like the Warriors, a ton of casual bettors will lean toward Anthony Davis here. However, the Brow’s over/under has been inflated to a gargantuan 14.5 (+100), which yields no value whatsoever (even with the plus odds).
Hachimura’s insurgence into Davin Ham’s starting lineup has worked wonders for Los Angeles, and his athleticism should give AD some help on the glass this evening. Golden State’s past three opponents have averaged 55 rebounds per game, and they can’t all go to Davis.
Rui grabbed four boards when these teams met in late January, and that was in just under 18 minutes. He’s saying nearly double that playing time now, so six ore more rebounds tonight should be a pretty easy mark for the fresh 26-year-old to hit.
