Can you believe the NBA season is starting tomorrow? It just felt like the NBA Bubble ended last week. I can not wait for this coming season it is going to be a great season! Opening night tips off Tuesday night with two great matchups and plenty of NBA player props to pick.
Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets take on Durant’s former team the Golden State Warriors led by former MVP Stephen Curry. The second game of the night will feature the Battle of L.A as the Clippers and Lakers take stage in the night cap.
If you do not already have an account with ThriveFantasy I do not know what you are waiting for. ThriveFantasy is perfect for all the player prop experts and for the causal fan, it makes the games more exciting. There are many different contests on their site check it all out on their site! Be sure to use promo code “SGP” as a sign-up bonus and get your prop on!
You can choose from 20 NBA player prop props in each ThriveFantasy contest. In this post, I give you five of my favorite bets for NBA opening night.
NBA Player Props
Anthony Davis Over 42.5 Total Points + Rebounds + Assists (105 Points)
Last season, in the four games against the Clippers Davis averaged 28.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5. assists. Those totals fall a bit short of the total 42.5 set for opening night. However, the Lakers offense will run through Anthony Davis this season. In addition, James was an advocate of starting the season in mid-January so players could have more rest.
Furthermore, LeBron James could possibly be playing less minutes early in the season to keep him fresh as the season progresses leaving the scoring responsibility to Davis. Lastly, Davis could very well be in contention for MVP this season and with the offensive, and rebounding abilities of Davis the total of 42.5 will go over on opening night.
Kyle Kuzma Over 11.5 Points (110 Points)
In the four preseason games this season Kuzma averaged 17.5 points per game. Yes, two of those games were without the Lakers top two players but this season there will be more opportunities for Kuzma. Kuzma signed a three-year extension this past weekend and I believe he will lead the second unit in scoring.
Last season the Lakers had Rondo coming off the bench who needed to have the ball in his hands to be effective. However, with Rondo not on the Lakers roster the this will be Kuzma opportunity to flourish. In addition, LeBron came out on social media and endorsed Kuzma to be the 2020-2021 most improved player and I can completely see that happening.
Furthermore, last season in the three games against the Clippers, Kuzma averaged 16.3 points per game. Also, Kuzma shot 40% from beyond the arc.
Stephen Curry Over 26.5 Points (95 Points)
The former league MVP is back this season after only playing five games last season. The biggest news for the Warriors squad was the loss of Klay Thompson to a devastating Achilles injury. As a result, the scoring responsibility will be on the Curry. We know the shooting capabilities of Curry and now the face of the franchise must lead the Warriors this season. Furthermore, Curry on the road in his career averages 24 points per game and has a 29% usage percentage. Lastly, I believe Curry on opening night against his former teammate will remind the world why Curry is the best shooter on the planet!
Kevin Durant Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds (100 Points)
The long-awaited return of Durant is finally here. Durant remains one of the best players in the league alongside LeBron James. Durant has a career average of 27 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game. Furthermore, Durant will be the #1 scoring option with Kyrie Irving.
In addition, in the three seasons with the Warriors Durant averaged 25.8 points per game and 7 rebounds. As the primary player on the Nets, I expect Durant to have a big opening night and put the league on notice that he is back.
Joe Harris Under 4.5 Rebounds + Assists (115 Points)
Joe Harris had an elevated role last season with the Nets in large part due to the absence of Durant and Irving. The Nets re-signed Harris to be their #1 shooting threat from beyond on the arc. Furthermore, with the return of Irving and Durant the ball will primarily be in their hands to run the offense or score points. In addition, Deandre Jordan will return this season who is responsible for rebounding and block shots.
Over Harris’s career he averages three rebounds and close to two assists per game. However, with the way the offense will be ran in Brooklyn Lastly, Joe Harris will play the shooting guard position and without the ball in his hands I do not expect Harris to have big numbers in the rebounding and assists department.
NBA Player Props Related Posts
NBA Opening Night Picks & Futures Best Bets | NBA Gambling Podcast (Ep. 106)
NBA Western Conference Win Totals 2020 | NBA Gambling Podcast (Ep. 105)