NBA Prop Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 31.5 Points (-118) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The NBA is back after the All-Star break. In both conferences, the standings are bunched up and teams will be making their final push for playoff position. We can expect full effort and great performances until the end of the regular season.
Let’s find more winning player props and make winning NBA picks.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz
Thursday, February 23, 2023 – 09:00 PM EST at Vivint Arena
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Over 31.5 Points
The Oklahoma City Thunder are doing better than expected and that is because of the play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Alexander is putting up MVP numbers averaging more than 30 points per game, five rebounds per game, and five assists per game. The Thunder have been winning much more than expected behind Alexander's great play. In a year in which they were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league, the Thunder are making a legitimate playoff push.
The Utah Jazz surprised everybody after most people thought they had given up on this season and were looking to rebuild. However, the Jazz had a strong start and currently has a strong record. Yet they recently signaled to the league that they are not interested in making the playoffs this year by trading away team leader Mike Conley and important veteran players Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley.
While the Thunder are making a push for the playoffs, the Jazz is looking to retool and rebuild. With the Jazz losing Mike Conley, their defense gets worse and their pace gets faster. Conley was an excellent leader and he set the tone for the team on the defensive end. The Jazz is trying to develop young players such as Collin Sexton. Unfortunately for the Jazz, Sexton is not a good defender.
The Prop Pick
With the Jazz playing at a higher pace of play and being less proficient on the defensive end, it marks a great opportunity for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to have a big night. I expect him to do well here against a Utah Jazz team that is looking forward more to the lottery than the playoffs.
These are the type of games the Thunder will have to win if they are to make a legitimate playoff push. They will do so behind the strength of the play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Following the NBA odds, our first player prop for the evening is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 31.5 points.
NBA Prop Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 31.5 Points (-118) at BetOnline
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks
Thursday, February 23, 2023 - 08:30 PM EST at American Airlines Center
Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)
- Over 25.5 Points
The Dallas Mavericks will be heavily favored when they take on the San Antonio Spurs tonight. Dallas is making a playoff push at 31-29 while the Spurs are languishing at the basement of the Western Conference at 14-45. The Spurs have been a woeful 5-24 away from home. The Spurs have lost their last 14 games. This represents a great opportunity for the Dallas Mavericks to begin their post-All-Star break and push up the standings.
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic are learning how to play together and so far Doncic has been very accommodating of Irving, trying to get him involved in the offense. This is a good sign when betting on a Kyrie Irving player prop. Irving has been fantastic this season and is an excellent individual shot-creator. His ability to get high-quality looks against any defense means less usage and wear and tear on Luca Doncic.
The San Antonio Spurs give up the most points per game at 122.6. They are especially vulnerable to point guards. This gives us a great opportunity to attack this player prop. The Spurs are poised to have the #1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft and are not concerned with winning games right now.
This will be a theme as the season progresses as tanking teams really make sure not to win too many games and ruin their lottery position. The Lottery odds should be flattened even more for fan enjoyment, but as bettors, this is something we can take advantage of.
The Prop Pick
The Dallas Mavericks will get off to a great start after the All-Star Break by putting a beat down on the San Antonio Spurs. Kyrie Irving will have a big night as the Mavericks continue to try to integrate him into their offensive game plan.
Our second player prop for the evening is Kyrie Irving Over 25.5 points and if you're a Lone Star State resident looking to bet on this game, you can do it at our top Texas betting sites.
NBA Prop Pick: Kyrie Irving Over 25.5 Points (-113) at 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.
