In the words of the great Howard Bender, ‘OH BABY’, what a game we have tonight! A smashing success yesterday with over 2.5 units gained plus numerous other angles coming in from live action. Today there are only three games but it features two national primetime matches including THE MVP battle of two centers! Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets play Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, what a game! 

The second match on TNT is the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Los Angeles Clippers. It is the Thunder’s second of back-to-back games at Crypto.com Arena. The Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns is a tough Western Conference showdown with All-Star players on both sides. Several of the Denver Nuggets players are listed as questionable but for the purpose of this article, they are playing. If you prefer you can wait until an official gameday report is released. 

 

NBA Bet of the Night

Nikola Jokic OVER 9.5 Assists (+110 at BetMGM)

The first match of TNT’s doubleheader is a banger, the Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers with a 7:30 PM ET tip-off. It features the winners of the last three MVPs, in Nikola Jokic, twice, and Joel Embiid. Although there are several questionable tags for the Nuggets the thought is they will play after a day’s rest. Jamal Murray has played through several injuries this year and has stated he wants to play more minutes. Aaron Gordon missed time from a freak incident with his dog, and since his return has been on another level with Nikola Jokic. Michael Porter Jr. has not missed a game all season and has had an excellent last few games. 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has a back strain but he has played through it this season. The entire starting roster is questionable, but if they all play Jokic will have elite scorers around him. He has gone over this prop in three of his last six games and has a 9.3 assists per game average. Embiid will play tough defense, and Jokic has no problem passing the basketball. This bet at plus money is a great angle for tonight’s marquee match. 

NBA Prop Bets of the Night

Joel Embiid OVER 32.5 Points (+115 at BetMGM)

Joel Embiid has been a scoring machine this season, and has thirty or more points in his four games played since December 22nd. Embiid is battling through injuries, but when on the court is simply amazing to watch. This will be J. Embiid’s first back-to-back games since December 15th and 16th, but if last night was any indication he appears to be healthy and in great shape. While Nikola Jokic has the vision and pass skills of a point guard, Joel Embiid has the scoring touch of a shooting guard with a sweet mid-range game. 

Embiid is averaging 34.9 points per game, and the Denver Nuggets are an average defense against the center position. Embiid is not average, and this matchup has turned somewhat into a rivalry. If not for the players at least the fans. Fan bases for both teams claim to have the best player in the world, and each has validating truths. At Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets the thought is why not double your pleasure? We found angles to help root for two MVPs tonight!

Jusuf Nurkic OVER 2.5 Assists (-140 at BetMGM)

It is rare to get assist props in this column, it is even more rare that they come from the starting centers of their team. Smart betting does not always equal the norms, nor is it limited to expectations and notions for a talent level by the position title alone. Jusuf Nurkic is having a great season with the Phoenix Suns and has been their most consistent player. He understands his role with this team of excellent scorers is to rebound and pass the ball out to them. Nurkic has been doing just that too with per-game averages of 10.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists. 

The Phoenix Suns host the Sacramento Kings who give up the second most assists per game to opposing centers, 7.76. Nurkic could have difficulty rebounding against Domantas Sabonis or could run into good defense down low, and pass off to a wing ready to score. For this bet to cover, Jusuf Nurkic needs his average against a team allowing 117.7 points per game. A few passes, a few made field goal attempts and this bet is successful.

Thank you for reading and remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your Fantasy and Betting needs.

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise