Only four games tip off in the NBA tonight, but there are still plenty of betting options available in the NBA player props markets.
My NBA picks for October 31 back future Hall of Famer Chris Paul on his assists prop while fading superstar guard Luka Doncic on his assists total.
I'm also putting my money on another big performance from Clippers center Ivica Zubac.
Best NBA player props today
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Doncic Under 8.5 assists (-120 at bet365) -
Paul Over 7.5 assists (+100 at bet365) -
Zubac Over 27.5 points+rebounds (-110 at bet365)
Picks made on 10-31 at 11:45 a.m. ET.
NBA player props for October 31
Prop bet #1: Luka Doncic Under 8.5 assists
Luka Doncic is coming off an incredible campaign where he averaged 32.4 points and 9.8 assists per game. That said, given his production so far this season, his prop numbers look a bit inflated. He's averaging 26.8 ppg on 36/27/80 shooting splits while adding 7.0 apg through four contests.
He should see positive regression on his ugly shooting numbers which will lead to an increase in points, but I'm not sure his assists will get much higher.
Keep in mind Doncic still leads the NBA with a usage rate of 34.6%, but that number was at 36.7% over the last four years. Likewise, he averaged 56.0 passes, and 16.9 potential assists per game last year, but those numbers have dipped to 47.5 and 14.5, respectively.
With the Dallas Mavericks facing off against a slow-paced Rockets team ranked eighth in defensive rating and allowing the third-fewest assists per game (21.8), fade Doncic on his assists prop.
Prop bet #2: Chris Paul Over 7.5 assists
The San Antonio Spurs entered this season with high expectations after adding vets Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to a young core led by second-year phenom Victor Wembanyama. They've failed to live up to those expectations so far, going 1-3 and averaging just 103.0 ppg while coming off a 93-point performance against the Thunder last night.
That said, they've played some strong defensive teams to begin the year, and they'll have a much easier task tonight against the Utah Jazz. The Jazz play at a fast tempo and rank 26th in the league in defensive rating which has led to them surrendering 119 ppg.
Paul isn't the franchise player he was earlier in his career, but he's still an excellent distributor. He's dropped eight or more assists in three of four games this year, and he's seventh in the league with 15.0 potential assists per game.
It's also worth mentioning Wembanyama is shooting just 40.7% but had a 48.1 FG% last season after Christmas. Once Wemby's shots start dropping, Paul should see an uptick in his assists as well.
Prop bet #3: Ivica Zubac Over 27.5 points + rebounds
With Paul George leaving in the offseason and Kawhi Leonard sidelined by an injury (insert shocked face here), the new-look Los Angeles Clippers have needed guys to step up. Center Ivica Zubac has done his part by averaging 18.5 ppg and 13.5 rpg while shooting 55.4% from the field.
Zubac is coming off his worst performance of the season, going just 2-for-7 for just six points against the Blazers, but he still pulled down 12 boards, and he should bounce back offensively here.
Keep in mind Zubac scored more than 20 points in each of the first three games this season, including a 21-point performance against the Suns last Wednesday.
The Suns don't defend the interior or rebound at a high level, and they use a pair of true centers in Jusuf Nurkic and Mason Plumlee, which should mean plenty of minutes for Zubac. With big Zub totaling at least 30 points and rebounds in three of four games, take the Over 27.5 on his pts + rebs prop tonight.
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