We had a rousing success yesterday, winning three out of four bets which returned 1.36 units to the bankroll. Meat Loaf requires two out of three successful bets, and three out of four is another category of its own. Yet three out of four isn’t bad either. However, enough with yesterday. 

There are seven games tonight and two nationally televised games on ESPN. The first of the two games is the Atlanta Hawks versus the Boston Celtics at TD Garden with a 7:30 PM ET tip off. There is a lucrative plus odds player proposition from this match that a unit will be placed on. The San Antonio Spurs are playing the Miami Heat at 7:30 PM ET as well, and Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets' favorite rookie, Victor Wembanyama, has a prop to take advantage of. 

The Bet of the Night is back on a familiar face. The Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets begin all NBA action tonight. It features one of the most successful bets to this column: welcome back, Scottie Barnes. If you're interested in tailing our NBA player props today, be sure to click any of our BetMGM widgets to sign up and claim $158 in guaranteed bonus bets instantly.

 

Expert NBA Best Bets Today: Player Props

Scottie Barnes Player Props: Under 7.5 Rebounds (-110 at BetMGM) *2 UNITS*

Scottie Barnes was a column favorite, and like a great heavyweight champion boxer, is ready to make a triumphant return. Just like any champion, hardware is needed, and Barnes earned that yesterday by becoming the alternate to Joel Embiid in the All-Star game. He also has the trophy for 2022 Rookie of the Year. It will be his first All-Star game and it is well deserved. 

He was everything for the Toronto Raptors prior to the December trade, and although his numbers declined, it does not mean he is not giving effort and playing minutes. He has simply been asked to take on a new role, something much more difficult to achieve than one might believe it to be. Yet, he has consistently been under this rebounding line. In fact, he has recorded eight or more rebounds in just two of his last fifteen game – yes, two out of his last fifteen. 

The sportsbooks have had his rebounding line moved to 6.5 for the past two and half weeks, and it finally moves back up against the Charlotte Hornets who allow the ninth most rebounds per game with 52.4. The Raptors have their starting center Jakob Poeltl back to health, and Scottie Barnes is simply not asked to rebound the way he was earlier this season. After two and half weeks at a lower rebounding prop, we make the bookies pay and smash the line the first time it is moved up.

 

Other NBA Player Prop Picks for Today

Trae Young Player Props: Over 9.5 Assists (+100 at BetMGM)

The Atlanta Hawks have a tough task at TD Garden tonight against the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are 11.5-point favorites tonight, and honestly that seems a little too high. Trae Young was not part of the initial All-Star players announced and went on a double-double spree in retaliation. However, he was announced an All-Star yesterday (along with Barnes), and Young will be replacing Julius Randle. 

Trae Young is averaging 10.9 assists per game, which is second in the NBA behind only Tyrese Haliburton. He has ten or more assists in five of his last six games, and eight of his last ten. In the fourth quarter if the Hawks are playing from behind, he passes less and looks to score more often. He honestly could cover the prop before the fourth quarter too. 

The Celtics are tough against assists, allowing the sixth fewest to opposing point guards. The starting point guard for the Celtics, Jrue Holiday, is an excellent defender but is listed as questionable with an elbow sprain, and there is a good chance he sits. If he is confirmed out, Young’s assists line will either move or become heavily juiced. Jump on it early with one unit.

 

Victor Wembanyama Player Props: Over 2.5 Blocks (-115 at BetMGM) 

Victor Wembanyama is back in the column again, and with his blocks – a Fantasy Alarm favorite. The San Antonio Spurs are on the road against the Miami Heat who are struggling to find any rhythm. It seems like every day someone new is going on the injury report, they are still trying to find rhythm with who their starting five should be, and Jimmy Butler seems to play with effort in only spurts of the game. 

The positives for them are the fact that they have a healthy lineup tonight against the Spurs and they are first in the Southeast Division. Wembanyama is coming off of a full three days' rest, which was likely needed. The Spurs have not played since Saturday and have had plenty of time to prepare for this match up. Wembanyama has three or more blocks in three of his last four games and is averaging 3.1 blocks per game. 

He also has a seven-inch height advantage over the tallest person on the Heat’s starting roster, implying he has a foot or more on other Heat starters. His long reach and fresh legs should help him go well over his blocking average against a team that has lost seven of their last ten games. Count on the rookie to cash again.

 

Thanks for reading. Remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your fantasy and betting needs across multiple sports.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

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