Best NBA Player Props Today: SGA Highlights a Jam-Packed Wednesday Slate

Prop bet #1: Don't fade Shai

Last season, SGA announced himself as one of the elite young players in the league making first-team All-NBA at just 24 years old.

Now, the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander odds suggest he’ll continue to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder in their attempt to compete in the loaded West. That starts in Chicago on Wednesday as they take on a Bulls team that’s dealt with injuries and inconsistent play from lottery picks the last few seasons.

With SGA’s ability to score at a high clip — averaging 31.4 points per game, fourth most in the NBA last season — while utilizing his length to pull in rebounds and playmaking instincts to pick up assists, he’ll be able to make a splash and hit 41 points + rebounds + and assists on opening night.

Last season, he averaged 41.7 PRA and topped 40.5 in 41 of 68 games he played (60%), including once against the Bulls. Given SGA’s ability to get to the free throw line (10.9 attempts per game at a 90.5 FT%) and to find advantageous shots within the arc (17.8 2PA at 53%), it will lend well to him putting up the points he needs to hit the Over.

The Chicago Bulls allowed 111.8 points per game, 43.3 rebounds per game, and 26 assists per game last season and will be tasked with trying to stop one of the highest-usage players in the NBA.

Last season, SGA accounted for 22% of the Thunder’s total points, 18.5% of their assists, and 9% of their rebounds despite missing 14 games. 

The touches and opportunities will be there for SGA — he has the sixth-highest usage rate in the NBA (31.8%) among players who played at least 60 games — to stuff the stats in the Windy City. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander prop: Over 40.5 PRA (-110 at bet365)

Prop bet #2: Wham, Bam!

After clawing their way to the NBA Finals as the seventh seed in the East last season, the Miami Heat’s championship odds have fallen off a cliff as the season tip-off inched closer (they’re currently +3000, 12th highest).

Despite falling short in crunch time last year, they retained their core led by Butler and Bam Adebayo without adding much to bolster the rotation. That will once again put a lot on the broad shoulders of Adebayo who Erik Spoelstra will need to take another step forward if they want to bring Pat Riley his 10th Larry O’Brien.

As heavy favorites against the Detroit Pistons on opening night (-9, tied for the largest spread), Miami is expected to have a cakewalk at home against the bottom dwellers of the East. Given Adebayo’s matchup in the paint, he’s poised to have a big night.

After averaging 20.4 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game last season, Adebayo should be able to hit the Over 28.5 for combined points and rebounds against a frontcourt corps led by 19-year-old Jalen Duren and 22-year-old Isaiah Stewart.

The youth in Detroit can be taken advantage of by one of the most athletic big men in basketball. Last season, the Pistons allowed the fourth-most points per game in the NBA (118.5), the third-most points in the paint in the NBA (53.9), and ninth-most opponent rebounds per game (53).

Adebayo averaged 7.7 paint touches per game last season with a 61.2 FG% in the paint while putting up 14.9 shots per game from the field at 54% and 5.4 free throws at 80.6%. He had at least 29 points and rebounds in 39 of 75 games (52%) last season.

Bam Adebayo prop: Over 28.5 points + rebounds (-115 at bet365)

Prop bet #3: Home for the Haliburton

With the lowly Washington Wizards heading to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers, 2022 All-Star Tyrese Haliburton is set up to continue his ascendence as one of the best young playmakers in the East.

Last season, his first full year in Indiana, Haliburton cruised to over 30.5 combined points and assists per game — 20.7 points and 10.4 assists — and playing against the Wizards, he’ll be able to take advantage of a lackluster roster. 

Between Tyus Jones’ lack of length and Jordan Poole’s struggles on defense, Haliburton should be able to get after both of Washington’s starting guards and put his teammates in position to score points.

While Washington has had a roster makeover this season, head coach Wes Unseld Jr.’s team finished 21st in defensive efficiency last season and 25th in 2021.

Between their lack of youth and inconsistent individual defenders, Haliburton will have all the opportunity to find Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin, and Bruce Brown to juice his assist numbers.

In 2022, Haliburton was one of only three players in the NBA to average a double-double with assists (James Harden and Trae Young were the other two) and scored at least 20 points with 10 assists in 18 of 56 games. More importantly, he hit a combined 31 points and assists in 30 of 56 games (54%).

Tyrese Haliburton prop: Over 30.5 points + assists (-115 at bet365)