Bryan Armetta shares his three favorite player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday’s four-game NBA slate.
Just four games are set to tip off on Thursday across the NBA. Still, there’s ample reason for casual fans to tune in tonight. Young stars such as Cooper Flagg, Kon Kneuppel, and Keyonte George are all taking the court. In addition, the Cavaliers take on the Timberwolves in a battle between contenders.
Which names are poised to exceed, or fall short, of their totals this evening? Here are my three favorite NBA player prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Moussa Diabate 12+ rebounds (-103)
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) is unlikely to suit up tonight. As a result, Moussa Diabate more minutes should continue to see more minutes. Charlotte’s backup center has done a terrific job with limited playing time, providing a reliable presence down low. Through 34 games, he’s recorded 7.9 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 62% from the field. That’s despite averaging just under 24 minutes per game. Without Kalkbrenner, Diabate is a lock to stay on the floor more than usual.
That bodes well for the big man heading into Thursday’s matchup. The Pacers are a mess down low, having rotated through several starting options at center. Indiana is giving up 57.5 rebounds per game to opponents, worst in the NBA. In comparison, Diabate is averaging 11.8 boards over nine games played without Kalkbrenner this season. In addition, fellow Hornets frontcourt players Brandon Miller (knee) and Mason Plumlee (groin) are also out. Add it all up, and Diabate is set up for a strong showing on the glass.
Matas Buzelis 18+ points (-110)
Chicago has earned its reputation as the kings of mediocrity. Still, the Bulls do roster a handful of exciting young prospects. Arguably the most exciting is Matas Buzelis, selected 11th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. This season, the second-year pro has shown flashes of greatness. Over 37 games, the forward has put up 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Now, with lead ball handler Josh Giddey (hamstring) sidelined, there’s more touches to go around in the Windy City.
Buzelis has scored at least 19 points in four of five games since Giddey’s injury. There’s a good chance that continues going into Thursday’s matchup. The Heat play at the NBA’s fastest pace on offense, while the Bulls rank third. You don’t need to be a genius to understand that this could lead to plenty of scoring. The 21-year-old is shooting an efficient 49% from the field so far. Against a lackluster Miami defense, there’s no reason to think Buzelis can’t put together another gaudy point total tonight.
Lauri Markkanen under 2.5 three-pointers made (-125)
It’s been a career year for Lauri Markkanen, which is saying a lot considering his past success. The former All-Star has been a major reason why the Jazz have gone from horrendous to somewhat respectable this season. Through 31 appearances, he’s notched 27.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. In addition, the forward has delivered efficient 48/37/90 shooting splits. The veteran is the main catalyst behind Utah’s 115.6 offensive rating, 15th-best in all of basketball.
In theory, Thursday’s matchup presents another opportunity for Markkanen to dominate. The Mavericks, despite the presence of Anthony Davis, are giving up the 12th-most points per game to opponents (116.9). However, they’ve been surprisingly good at limiting the damage from deep. Teams are shooting an NBA-worst 33.2% from three-point range against Dallas. When these teams last met on December 15th, Markkanen only drained one shot from long distance. That’s despite an otherwise phenomenal performance (33 points, 11 rebounds). Lauri might enjoy another stuffed stat line, but he should do most of his damage from inside the arc.