Today’s NBA Player Prop Picks: Leonard Bullies New Mavs Duo

Now that LeBron James’ chase for the all-time points record is in the rearview mirror, we can focus on normal NBA games again.

Well, kind of normal, as the Kyrie Irving Show makes its debut for the Dallas Mavericks when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.

While the combination of Irving and Luka Doncic could be special on offense, the Mavs' defense will certainly take a hit — which means containing a guy like Kawhi Leonard could be problematic.

I have a play to take advantage of that plus, a couple of 3-pointer props for a pair of sharpshooters, in my best NBA player prop picks for Wednesday, February 8. 

NBA player props for February 8

• Hield Over 3.5 3s
• Murray 4+ 3s
• Leonard Over 32.5 pts+rebs

Picks made on 2/8/2023 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Today’s best NBA player props

The odds widgets below represent the best odds currently available for each betting market at regulated sportsbooks.

I am your Buddy, guy

Everyone knows Buddy Hield is a sharpshooter, but the Pacers shooting guard has taken it to another level recently and he’ll have a great opportunity to keep jacking up the treys when he takes the floor Wednesday night against the Heat.

Hield has been unconscious from beyond the arc for nearly two months now. Hield is shooting a crazy-good 48.4% from 3-point range on 8.3 attempts per game over a 26-game stretch dating back to mid-December.

The matchup tonight against the Heat is a good one for him to keep that going. While Miami is a strong defensive team, its style leads it to collapse on the ball when it moves inside. A smart opponent can take advantage of this and kick the ball outside to open shooters. As a result, Miami ranks 22^nd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and 24^th in opponent 3-point attempts per game.

Hield has drained four or more threes 19 times over his last 26 games. Close to even money on Over 3.5 made threes in this matchup looks like a solid play tonight.

Buddy Hield prop: Over 3.5 made 3-pointers (+102)

Hawkeye shooter

Keegan Murray has been the perfect compliment to De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis in the Sacramento Kings’ offense.

The rookie out of Iowa is a deadeye 3-point shooter and defends well. He’s also coming off an incredible shooting performance against the Rockets where he went 8-for-12 from beyond the arc. Murray is primed for another big night as he goes against the Rockets for the second time in as many games.

Murray, who is draining 41.3% of his 3-point attempts this season, was in a bit of a slump during the Kings’ current road trip. A date with the Rockets was all he needed to get back on track.

That makes sense, considering Houston has a real problem when it comes to defending the perimeter. In fact, the Rockets have arguably the worst 3-point defense in the NBA. Houston allows the most 3-point attempts and makes per game, while ranking 26^th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

Prior to this road trip, Murray had a 10-game stretch where he was hitting a ridiculous 53.7% of his threes and hit four or more threes six times over that span. He’s also sunk four or more threes in two of his three games against the Rockets this season.

I’m taking a stab at Murray’s alternate made threes prop, backing him to hit 4+ shots from deep at a very nice +190 price.

Keegan Murray prop: 4+ made 3-pointers (+190 at bet365)

Klawed apart

The Los Angeles Clippers return home following a six-game road trip just in time for Kyrie Irving to make his debut with the Dallas Mavericks.

Irving alongside Luka Doncic will be a thing to behold and has the potential to be one of the most dangerous offenses in the NBA. But while the offense could be special, the defense will leave something to be desired. 

Before trading for Irving, the Mavericks ranked 24th in defensive rating and next-to-last in rebounding rate. Substituting Kyrie for Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith isn’t exactly going to help you with defense and rebounding. Not to mention the team’s depth.

This means defending a healthy Kawhi Leonard will be a problem.

Leonard has looked like his old self again, and that makes him one of the best players in the NBA. Leonard is averaging 28.7 points on 51.6% shooting while adding 6.5 rebounds per game over his last 14 games.

His points and rebounds prop is set at 32.5 for this matchup. He’s gone Over that number nine times over this 14-game stretch where he has looked like old-Kawhi, including going for 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting while adding nine boards against this Mavs team back on Jan. 23. Before they downgraded their defense.

Kawhi Leonard prop: Over 32.5 points + rebounds (-115)

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