The Western Conference takes center stage tonight in a four-game NBA slate, and we’ll get an early look at some top-tier title contenders.
That includes a heavyweight showdown between Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder, and there’s also lots to like about a Luka Doncic-Victor Wembanyama battle.
So buckle up for a fun night of hoops. As you'd expect, with a bunch of superstars in action, there’s a stacked NBA player props market — and I’ve selected my three favorite NBA picks.
Best NBA player props today
-
Doncic Over 9.5 assists (-110 at bet365) -
Westbrook Over 7.5 rebounds + assists (-105 at BetMGM) -
DeRozan Over 19.5 points (+100 at DraftKings)
Picks made on 10-24 at 9:30 a.m. ET.
NBA player props for October 24
Prop bet #1: Luka Doncic Over 9.5 assists
The Dallas Mavericks didn’t stand pat after reaching the Finals last year, and they’ve given Luka Doncic an even deadlier supporting cast heading into the 2024-25 season.
Hampered by a calf issue, Doncic didn’t break a sweat during the preseason, but he’s good to go for Dallas’ season opener, and I expect his usual high usage rate (he led the league with a 35.9% rate last year).
The Victor Wembanyama effect factors into my thinking, too. With Wemby patrolling the paint, it’ll make Luka think twice about his drives to the basket, likely resulting in an uptick in fadeaways and kick-outs to open shooters.
We saw that when these teams squared off back in March, with Doncic posting an ugly 6-for-27 shooting line but piling up 16 assists.
Doncic ranked second in the NBA in assists last year with 9.8 per game, and while there could be some rustiness with his shooting, I’m wagering on his playmaking to be on point tonight.
Prop bet #2: Russell Westbrook Over 7.5 rebounds + assists
Another season, another new team for Russell Westbrook. This latest chapter brings Westbrook to Denver, where he'll be asked to provide a spark for the second unit.
It’s a role Russ played effectively at times for the Clippers last season before his performances tailed off in the second half of the year, and I see him having an impact tonight against one of his former teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Whatever you think about Westbrook’s career and his current limitations, he always seems to be at the heart of the action when he’s on the court — and that leads me to the Over on his rebounds + assists total.
Westbrook averaged 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game with the Clippers last season, and he may have license to do more on a Denver Nuggets team with thin depth and a major playmaking need off the bench.
It will also be worth watching what kind of minutes load he gets from Michael Malone, but it bodes well that the Denver head coach has typically preferred to lean on veterans.
Prop bet #3: DeMar DeRozan Over 19.5 points
The Sacramento Kings went all-in on a high-powered offense this summer, and DeMar DeRozan’s arrival should take some of the burden off De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
DeRozan has been a reliable bucket-getter everywhere he’s played, and I’m expecting decent volume despite all the mouths to feed in this Sacramento offense.
DeRozan has averaged 24+ points in each of his last three seasons. He routinely finds his way to the free throw line to pad his tally, and he should profit from playing alongside quality passers like Fox and Sabonis.
A clash with the Timberwolves would ordinarily be daunting, but the Minnesota defense looked uncharacteristically sluggish against the Lakers on Tuesday in their opening game — and DeRozan should be able to hunt mismatches against Mike Conley and Julius Randle.
I’m expecting DeRozan’s production to dip a little this season on a better team in new surroundings, but a 20-point night still feels within easy reach.
Win up to $1M Daily with DraftKings' NBA King of the Court!
Available to all users, get a profit boost every day for one NBA player prop — if that player is the leader in points+assists+rebounds that day, win a share of $1 million bonus bets!
*Eligible U.S. locations only
Today’s NBA games
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
