Best NBA Player Props Today: LeBron Brings Life to Lakers Offense

Prop bet #1: Ice Trae heats up

Somewhat lost among other bigger NBA storylines, Trae Young has been ice cold this season — and not in the good “Ice Trae” way. He’s shooting just 39% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc.

But Trae is coming off two big scoring nights, with 38 points on 13-for-17 shooting against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday and a less-efficient 43 points against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.

Despite the shooting struggles, he’s still averaging 26 points a night, and I see him padding those numbers here. With Young in attack mode lately, I’m grabbing the Over on Trae Young odds for points tonight.

He knocked down eight 3-pointers against the Nets, and his ability to get to the line should account for at least a third of this points line. Trae has had double-digit free-throw attempts in five of his last seven games.

The shot volume should be there. Even while sharing the backcourt with Dejounte Murray, he’s had 17 or more field goal attempts in seven of his last 10 games.

The Wizards are a dream matchup for Young and the Hawks, with plenty of mismatches to hunt. In a 2-13 start, Washington is giving up 124.3 points a game — second-most in the league — and allowing opponents to shoot 50% from the field.

Atlanta hasn’t played since Wednesday, and I expect a fresh Trae to get off to a flying start tonight.

Trae Young prop: Over 26.5 points (-108 at FanDuel)

Prop bet #2: SGA boards up Sixers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is off to a monster start as the focal point of a Thunder team already blowing past expectations — and he’s putting up MVP numbers for the second straight year.

SGA is making 30-point nights look routine — he’s already had nine of those this season — and he feasted on the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, with 40 points, including 17 free-throws.

He’s set up for more of the same tonight against the 76ers. Sure, Embiid’s presence in the paint will be a factor, but Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t dependent on getting all the way to the rim. His mid-range game is as good as it gets.

I’m pairing the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander odds for points with his rebounds prop. He’s a terrific rebounder for a guard, averaging six boards a night, and he had 14 rebounds across his two matchups against Philadelphia last season.

SGA is shooting 53% from the field on the way to 30 points a game, despite facing elite perimeter defenders and regular double-teams, and he should be able to get to his spots against Tyrese Maxey and De’Anthony Melton.

This feels like a heavyweight offensive matchup, and I’m picking Gilgeous-Alexander to deliver another masterclass. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander prop: Over 36.5 points + rebounds (-120 at bet365)

Prop bet #3: The King dishes dimes

With the Lakers stumbling out of the blocks this season, it was only a matter of time before LeBron James took on a bigger share of the playmaking to steady the ship. After a few games with fewer than five assists, The King has turned it on over the past two weeks.

LeBron had seven assists in Wednesday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, and he recorded eight or more dimes in his four prior outings, including a vintage 12-assist night against the Sacramento Kings on November 15.

I like these LeBron James odds at even money to dominate at the controls for this Lakers offense here against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who’ve allowed 248 points across their past two games.

Of course, this depends on L.A. making shots. But the Lakers have been solid from deep in their last two contests, knocking down 11 triples in each of them, and Austin Reaves has shot the ball better since moving to the bench. Reaves is often the beneficiary when defenses force the ball out of LeBron’s hands.

I see James taking on a lot of the ball-handling again tonight and punishing a Cleveland defense that doesn’t look equipped to slow down big wings. I’m taking the Over.

LeBron James prop: Over 6.5 assists (+100 at DraftKings)