Best NBA Player Prop Bets Today (March 9) (Archive)
It’s an interesting night in the NBA because as of this writing there is just one team favored by less than four points. That could mean a lot of blowouts. Here are three NBA prop picks for Wednesday from BetOnline, one of BMR’s top-rated sportsbooks.
Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets
Wednesday, March 09, 2022 – 07:00 PM EST at Spectrum Center
LaMelo Ball
Important game in the Eastern Conference playoff race as Boston is suddenly rising up the standings, while Charlotte is trying to hold onto one of the play-in tournament spots but sits ninth and just 1.5 games ahead of No. 11 Washington. It baffles me why the Hornets aren’t better than 32-34 because they do have a ton of talent but can’t guard anyone.
When I do these props, I’m generally a glass-half-full guy in that I go 'over' totals. However, I’m going 'under' on LaMelo Ball’s points + rebounds + assists here even though he’s clearly good enough to skyrocket past that number. The first reason is that Ball could be a bit gassed after playing 30 minutes in Tuesday’s 132-121 loss to Brooklyn and having to chase around the Nets’ Kyrie Irving much of the night – Irving hung 50 points.
The second is that no Eastern Conference team has been better defensively over the past six weeks or so than Boston, which has turned its season around. That’s why Ime Udoka was hired as the team’s new head coach before the season: His defensive prowess.
Boston has two stellar perimeter defenders in Marcus Smart and trade acquisition Derrick White, who figure to rotate on Ball all night and frustrate him. Ball has topped this 31.5 number in both games vs. the Celtics this season, but Boston didn’t have White for either or Smart for one.
NBA Prop Pick: LaMelo Ball Under 31.5 P+R+A (-120) with BetOnline (Visit our BetOnline Review)
Phoenix Suns vs. Miami Heat
Wednesday, March 09, 2022 - 07:30 PM EST at FTX Arena
Kyle Lowry
ESPN has this matchup, which could easily be an NBA Finals preview. Phoenix is going to finish with the NBA’s best record and the top seed in the West, and Miami has a three-game lead over Philadelphia and Milwaukee in the East. I probably favor the Sixers right now to come out of the East, but that’s a story for another day.
All professional athletes have egos, and Lowry is going to want to put up big numbers on national TV because he was frankly terrible Monday against Houston with zero points, five assists, and three rebounds in 32 minutes. Lowry had missed the previous four games for personal reasons so maybe his head wasn’t in the game or he wasn’t in top shape.
Facing the Suns will have Lowry fired up and he won’t have to deal with the All-NBA defense of Chris Paul, who remains out for Phoenix due to injury. Backup Cameron Payne is a solid offensive player but not very good on defense and Lowry should eat his lunch.
All he needs is 15 points and seven assists to top this number, and we wouldn’t even have to worry about rebounds – and Lowry averages 4.6 of those per game. When Miami visited Phoenix on January 8, Lowry had 14 points, 13 assists, and two rebounds when he vastly outplayed Paul.
NBA Prop Pick: Kyle Lowry Over 21.5 P+R+A (-120) with BetOnline
Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
Wednesday, March 09, 2022 - 07:00 PM EST at Little Caesars Arena
Cade Cunningham
Don’t look now, but No. 1 overall NBA pick Cade Cunningham of the Pistons is thriving of late and is closing the gap on Cleveland’s Evan Mobley for NBA Rookie of the Year honors.
Cunningham, the first-ever Oklahoma State player to go No. 1, comes off a stellar game in an upset of Atlanta on Monday with 28 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds. Cunningham became only the second Pistons rookie in the past 50 years with 25/5/10 along with Hall of Famer Isaiah Thomas and outplayed All-Star guard Trae Young – totaling 15 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Detroit is rising with Cunningham, having won six of its past eight games.
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Yes, Cunningham still isn’t shooting great, but this month he’s getting nearly 21 shots per game so even if he makes, say, nine, he’s going to score at least 22 points when you factor in three-pointers and free throws. In four March games, Cunningham is averaging 22.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.
Chicago enters on a five-game skid and has been one of the NBA’s worst defensive teams since the New Year as the Bulls clearly miss the injured Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso. They are allowing nearly 120 points per game during the skid. Cunningham’s rebounding total may get a boost tonight as well if Chicago center Nikola Vucevic misses a second straight game due to injury.
NBA Prop Pick: Cade Cunningham Over 31.5 P+R+A (-117) with BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.