The NBA is a stage where stars shine bright, and Friday night promises an eight-game spectacle that will captivate fans across the country. Two prime-time matchups stand out on the schedule: Dallas versus Memphis at 7:30 p.m. ET and Denver taking on Phoenix at 10 p.m. ET. The latter game features Suns’ veteran Kevin Durant, who has been a force to be reckoned with, scoring 26 points or more in four of his last five games. His exceptional performance against the Clippers on Tuesday, where he racked up 34 points, has cemented his status as a top player to watch. Durant is currently listed at -150 to score 25-plus points against the Nuggets on Friday, making him the second most-bet player points prop at DraftKings.
Other notable stars set to hit the hardwood on Friday night include Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets, James Harden of the Clippers, and Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers. Mitchell, in particular, has been making waves with his scoring prowess, putting up 26 points against Miami on Wednesday. The NBA odds from SportsLine Consensus have set his over/under for points scored on Friday at 23.5, adding an element of anticipation to the game.
Insight from the SportsLine Projection Model
The SportsLine Projection Model, renowned for its accuracy and insight, has analyzed every aspect of the upcoming NBA games. With a track record of success that has seen it yield over $10,000 for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons, the model has now unveiled its projections for some of the most popular NBA player props for Friday night.
Top Player Props to Watch
As the Raptors face off against the Jazz at 7:30 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on Immanuel Quickley, who is projected to deliver 8+ assists in the game. Quickley stands to benefit from the absence of key players such as Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, and Ochai Agbaji, giving him a chance to shine on the court. The model predicts him to finish with an impressive 7.6 assists across 35 minutes, making his Over the most-bet assists prop of the night.
Moving to the late game at 10 p.m. ET, the Kings will clash with the Spurs, with Keon Ellis expected to make an impact. Ellis, averaging 8.1 points per game this season, is projected to fall short of 2.5 3-pointers made, despite his strong shooting percentage from beyond the arc. The model forecasts Ellis to finish with 2.1 3-pointers made across 27 minutes, advising caution on this popular bet.
In the highly anticipated showdown between the Nuggets and the Suns at 10 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on Nikola Jokic, who is facing a prop total of under 13.5 rebounds. Jokic, known for his dominant presence on the boards, has been a force to be reckoned with, averaging 12.8 rebounds per game this season. However, the model sees an opportunity to fade Jokic in this game, projecting him to finish with 11.6 rebounds across 35 minutes, making a strong case for avoiding this popular bet.
The Heat will take on the Timberwolves at 8 p.m. ET, with Tyler Herro set to make his mark on the court. Herro, who missed the previous game due to illness, is a key player for Miami, averaging 23.9 points per game this season. The model predicts him to finish with 22.8 points across 36 minutes, suggesting that the Under for Herro’s point total may be the way to go.
So, as the NBA action unfolds on Friday night, keep an eye on these player props and let the excitement of the game take you on a thrilling ride. For more NBA picks and projections, be sure to check out SportsLine for expert analysis and insights.
