Best NBA Player Props Today: Simons Gets Stifled By Anunoby, Knicks

Prop bet #1: KD stumbles in the Garden

We get one hell of a matchup at TD Garden on tonight as Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics host Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.

Durant has been on an absolute heater for the Suns, averaging 38 points while shooting 54.3% from the field over his last four games. That includes a ridiculous 18 of 26 performance for 45 points against this same Celtics team just this past Saturday in Phoenix. 

That is made all the more impressive when you consider the Celtics are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. 

Do you think that scares me away from taking the Under for his points total in tonight’s matchup? Not a chance. 

For starters, we are getting a couple of extra points here just because Durant is shooting the ball so well. His point total closed at 25.5 for the Suns' previous matchup against a similarly strong defensive team in the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The only team that ranks higher than the Celtics in defensive rating this season is the Minnesota Timberwolves. They also rank second in opponent effective field goal percentage. So, if there is anyone that can improve on a poor performance, it’s Boston.

The other element that will be different this time around is that Devin Booker will play. Now, just because Book is on the court doesn’t necessarily mean fewer field goal attempts for Durant, but there is no doubt that there is another high-volume shooter on the court.

Before this four-game points barrage, KD had played below this number in seven of 12 games and our Covers prop projections have him at 23.9 points for this matchup. I expect the Celtics to do a better job on Durant in front of the home crowd and am betting him to stay below this number.

Kevin Durant prop: Under 26.5 points (+100 at Caesars)

Prop bet #2: Straight to Jalen

It looks like the Houston Rockets will come up a little short when it comes to the playoffs but there are a lot of positives to take away from this season. That includes the play of Jalen Green.

The former No. 2-overall pick has had plenty of highs and lows this season, but he is definitely in a hot stretch at the moment. Green is averaging 18.3 points per game this season and has found his shooting rhythm recently. Green is putting up 24 points per game while shooting 44.2% from the floor over his last seven, and he has a great opportunity to keep that going against a downright abysmal Washington Wizards team.

Quietly, the Wizards have fallen behind the Detroit Pistons for the worst record in the NBA and a big reason for that is because of their effort, or lack thereof, at the defensive end of the floor. 

Washington ranks dead last in the Association when it comes to defensive rating and scoring defense while ranking 27th in opponent effective field goal percentage.

Green should also have the opportunity to put up a few more shots, not only because of the matchup but because Alperen Sengun and Cam Whitmore are both out with injuries. Green has gone Over this number in four of his last seven games and our Covers prop projections have him at 25.7 points for this matchup.

Jalen Green prop: Over 23.5 points (-115 at bet365)

Prop bet #3: Simons struggles

The New York Knicks look like they’re getting their groove back on defense. They have held opponents to fewer than 100 points in four of their last five games and now they have OG Anunoby, their best defender, back.

The Knicks have held their last three opponents to 79, 79, and 74 points, respectively. Tonight, they play one of the worst teams in basketball when it comes to getting buckets, the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers rank 28th in offensive rating and dead last in the NBA in effective field goal percentage. And to make matters worse, they are dealing with a bunch of injuries. Malcolm Brogdon and Shaedon Sharpe are both out and Jerami Grant’s status is up in the air after missing the last game. That means Anunoby and the Knicks should be able to focus their defensive efforts on stopping Anfernee Simons.

Simons is averaging 23 points per game this season and has put up some big numbers lately, however, good defensive teams like the Celtics and Rockets have limited him in recent outings. 

Additionally, the Knicks rank last in the NBA when it comes to pace of play, which should limit Simon’s opportunities a little as well.

Simons has played below this number in three of his last four games and eight of his last 13. Look for OG’s primary job to be to disrupt Simons in this matchup and keep him below this number once again. On top of that, our Covers prop projections have Simons coming in at 20.5 points in this matchup.

Anfernee Simons prop: Under 23.5 points (-120 at BetMGM)