The final Thursday of the NBA’s regular-season features seven games. Here are a few NBA prop picks from Bovada (visit our Bovada Review), a top-rated sportsbook, that should bring you the best value for your buck.
Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Hornets
Thursday, April 07, 2022 – 07:00 PM EDT at Spectrum Center
LaMelo Ball
The Hornets are a 14-point favorite for the best sportsbooks as they look to finish 3-1 against Orlando this season. While it’s a big spread for a streaky team to cover, one of the team’s star players has been prolific lately in assists.
Prop Analysis
LaMelo Ball is averaging 7.6 assists per game this season, but that average is up to 10.8 assists over the last five games. Even in a 29-point loss to Miami that was close to start the fourth quarter, Ball had 14 assists. Three games ago he had a season-high 15 assists against the Knicks.
Ball has not scored 20 points in either of his last two games against tough competition. He’s also had a 7-point game against the Magic earlier this season. You can trust his assists better than his scoring (points and made threes) at this point.
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Orlando’s defense allows the fifth-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season. The Magic are also expected to be down a few starters in Cole Anthony and Wendell Carter Jr. Charlotte should be able to win the game even if it doesn’t cover the big spread.
NBA Prop Pick: LaMelo Ball to Have +9 Assists and Charlotte to Win (+102) at Bovada
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Thursday, April 07, 2022 - 07:30 PM EDT at Fiserv Forum
Giannis Antetokounmpo
In the battle for the No. 2 seed on TNT, the Bucks are a 6-point favorite against the Celtics, but these teams have not met since Christmas before Boston went on this incredible run. The Bucks will have to rely heavily on Giannis Antetokounmpo in another huge game.
Prop Analysis
Giannis is no stranger to delivering huge numbers in big games. He’s had 10 games with 40-plus points this season, including two recent wins over the 76ers and Nets. The last time he played Boston on Christmas, he had 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists for a total of 53 in those main categories.
Look for him to be the reliable stat-stuffer in this matchup again. In his last game against Chicago on Tuesday, Giannis got into foul trouble and only played 24 minutes, his third-lowest game this season. He should be rested and ready to go the distance in this one, and games between these teams have been very competitive.
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In a big spot, Giannis is more than capable of delivering a 32/13/5 line for his team. Will it be enough for a win remains to be seen.
NBA Prop Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 49.5 Total Points/Rebounds/Assists (-110) at Bovada
Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Thursday, April 07, 2022 - 08:00 PM EDT at Smoothie King Center
CJ McCollum
The Pelicans are only 35-44, but they have won four out of the last five and will be in the play-in tournament. New Orleans is a 17-point favorite at the NBA odds against lowly Portland, but there’s a player performance double that is more likely to hit than any spread pick.
Prop Analysis
Welcome to the second CJ McCollum revenge game in the last month. On March 30, the former Portland star faced his old team for the first time and came out hot with a couple of threes and finished with 25 points in a 10-point win.
The 56.3% shooting from the field from McCollum that night is his highest game in his last 12 games. It felt like he held back a little after such a good start, but he still got to 25 points with three threes.
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There are tempting player performance doubles with McCollum to hit four threes (+212) or score 30 points (+218) along with a Pelicans win, but I would play it safe for a surer thing with him getting to 25 once again. He is averaging 25.7 points per game since his trade to the Pelicans.
NBA Prop Pick: CJ McCollum to Have +25 Points and New Orleans to Win (+116) at Bovada
*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.
