Best NBA Player Props Today: Hart Continues Hammering Glass for Knicks

Prop bet #1: Mitchell malaise

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell missed seven straight games dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee. That would be troublesome enough, but it was also reported that Mitchell received a PRP injection about halfway into his absence. That suggests the injury was pretty serious.

While Mitchell made his return on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans, his performance was far from his typical superstar stuff. He finished with just 14 points. 

While his outside shot looked perfectly fine (he went 4-9 from three) he went just 1-7 from two. He really seemed at a loss to create a good look in isolation, perhaps dealing with the lingering effects of his knee injury.

Brandon Ingram has worked to improve as a defender but he’s far from some on-ball stopper, and certainly nowhere near the caliber of defender that Mitchell will face on Saturday against the Houston Rockets. 

A small guard like Mitchell needs every bit of burst he can get to score at a high level, and it appears that the road back to full strength will take him a bit longer.

These Donovan Mitchell odds seem anchored to him averaging 25.5 points over his last 10. But Mitchell has been out of action and doesn’t look close to fully healthy to my eyes.

With his old foe Dillon Brooks making it his mission in life to slow Donovan down, I’m thinking he has another slow offensive game on Saturday.

Donovan Mitchell prop: Under 24.5 points (-114 at BetRivers)

Prop bet #2: Daring Darius

Darius Garland has spent much of this year looking out of sorts. Once considered among the East’s best young guards, he didn’t even sniff the also-rans of All-Star discussions this season.

While losing Mitchell to a serious knee injury was a tough blow for the Cavs, there has seemingly been a silver lining.

With Mitchell sidelined for seven games, Garland stepped back into his previous role as the team’s lead guard. And he has been special.

Where he previously looked listless, his drives and attacks are again looking crisp and purposeful. His playmaking is humming, and it’s all fed into renewed confidence and aggression with his outside shot.

Garland is on a nine-game heater from downtown. He’s shooting a ridiculous 49.4% in that time on just shy of 10 attempts per game. In those nine games, he’s only failed to have at least three triples one time. He’s also a whopping 13-20 in just his last two games alone.

These Darius Garland odds must be concerned that his shot attempts are going to drop with Mitchell back in action. Even with Mitchell back in the fold last game and taking nine threes of his own, Garland still attempted 10 and made six.

Darius Garland prop: Over 2.5 threes (-129 at BetRivers)

Prop bet #3: Lion Hart

Scanning the latest Josh Hart odds is quickly becoming one of my morning betting routines. Oddsmakers can’t seem to figure this guy out. 

While he’s nominally a shooting guard at 6-foot-4, he rebounds like a center, and in his own words, his playstyle amounts to running around out there. He has four career triple-doubles, all within the last 18 games, and he’s petering on 20 rebounds every other night.

Hart is the embodiment of every coach's cliche. This guy really does just want it more. 

He has the complete trust of Tom Thibodeau as well. In close games, he plays every competitive minute. Neither Bojan Bogdanovic nor Alec Burks have played well since coming to the Knicks, which has meant that Hart’s burden has not been meaningfully lessened. Neither has his productivity.

Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein continuing to manage Achilles soreness is also a factor. Hartenstein was one of the Knicks' dominant rebounders but he’s playing fewer minutes and being felt much less on the glass.

The Sacramento Kings style of play also works in Hart’s favor. This is not a physical team, particularly not on the perimeter. While Domantas Sabonis posts up sometimes, the classic Sacramento Kings set begins with a dribble handoff just outside the arc. 

Hartenstein will be staying with Sabonis in those instances, which will leave Hart and Precious Achiuwa often in better position to grab the defensive board.

Hart is averaging 12.3 rebounds over his last 10 games. He has four games in his last seven where he’s had 15 rebounds or more. Grabbing 10 is nearly automatic for him these days.

Josh Hart prop: Over 9.5 rebounds (-129 at BetRivers)