Basketball fans will have their attention split between March Madness and the NBA today, but there are still some intriguing games and NBA player props to look at during an eight-game slate.
My NBA picks for Sunday, March 23, are highlighted by an assist prop for star Trae Young, while I’m also expecting Walker Kessler and Amen Thompson to do some damage on the boards.
Best NBA player props today
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Young Over 10.5 assists (-135 at bet365) -
Walker Kessler Over 11.5 rebounds (+115 at bet365) -
Amen Thompson 10+ rebounds (+180 at bet365)
NBA player props for March 23
Trae Young Over 10.5 assists (-135 at bet365)
The Atlanta Hawks come into Sunday as a huge 10-point favorite over the injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers, which means it’s time to put up some big totals for Trae Young.
The Sixers have won just three of their last 21 games and have allowed 121.7 ppg over that span — the third-worst mark among all teams. Philly's defense has been even worse over the last week, as it's given up 132.5 ppg over the last four contests.
Unsurprisingly, when you give up a lot of points, you’re also going to give up a lot of assists. During that 21-game skid, opponents are averaging 29.6 assists per game vs the 76ers, which is the fourth-highest mark against any team.
Young is scoring at a solid click this month at 26 ppg, but he won’t necessarily have to do all the work alone. He’s got six teammates scoring 10+ ppg in March, four at 14 or higher.
The Hawks point guard has accumulated 10+ assists in nine of his last 13 games and 12+ in eight of those contests.
Walker Kessler Over 11.5 rebounds (+115 at bet365)
There’s not much to write home about for the Utah Jazz this season, but Walker Kessler has been a rare bright spot. The third-year center is grabbing 12.3 rebounds per game — nearly five more than he averaged last season — and ranks fifth among all players in the NBA.
The 7-footer has pulled down 13.1 rebounds per game this month, highlighted by an insane 25-board performance against the Toronto Raptors on March 7. Kessler has also snagged 12+ rebounds in 13 of his last 18 contests going back to the start of February.
Like most rebounders, Kessler does the bulk of his work on the defensive glass, and that’s where I expect him to take advantage of tonight’s opponent, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers have just two players averaging more than five rebounds per game — Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Those guys are no slouches, but neither has the physicality to match up with Kessler on the glass.
Amen Thompson 10+ rebounds (+180 at bet365)
The Houston Rockets look to continue their ascent up the standings as they enter Sunday on a nine-game win streak, and they have a good chance to push it to 10 against the Jokic-less Denver Nuggets.
Not only will Joker’s absence hurt the Nuggets on the scoreboard, but it’ll also hurt them badly on the glass. Jokic is averaging 12.8 rebounds per game, which is good for third-best in the NBA. Without him, the Rockets should have free rein in that department.
Amen Thompson has emerged as a legit threat on the glass during his second season in the league, averaging 8.3 rebounds per game. That number has rocketed to 10.4 this month as he’s snagged 11+ boards in three of his last five appearances.
Thompson has also been extraordinarily consistent on the glass, with at least nine rebounds in 12 straight games.
Denver has been a good rebounding team this season, but it’s hard to say who will step up and fill Joker’s shoes. Michael Porter Jr. ranks second on the Nuggets with 6.9 rebounds per game, but it’ll be tough to handle Thompson and the rest of the Rockets on his own.
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NBA odds today
Here are the full NBA odds for all of today’s matchups.
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