Just like the highly-acclaimed film "Fight Club," we don't talk about the results from the first two NBA player props pick cycles of the week. A lot of narrow misses and late absences hurt our units, but we clear our minds, regroup, refocus, and look ahead to Thursday's six-game slate.
Here are four expert player prop picks for the day, including a combination prop for LeBron James (-114) in the marquee matchup of the evening as the Golden State Warriors hit the road to face the Los Angeles Lakers on April 3, 2025.
LeBron James OVER 31.5 Points + Assists vs. Warriors (-114 at Sportsbook)
Preview: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. ET
James' struggles since returning to the starting lineup following a seven-game absence due to a calf injury are apparent. He's only shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 22.7 percent from 3-point range in the six games since while finishing with 17 or fewer points on four occasions. The Lakers are 3-3 during that stretch, which is fine, but every win matters with just a pair of games separating the No. 3 and 5 seeds in the Western Conference, and with the Warriors just two games back, a victory matters even more so tonight.
Thankfully for James, he tends to bring his best stuff whenever seeing Golden State across from him. He's averaging 32.7 points and 10 assists in three meetings this season, and that history should serve him well here with his combined points and assists prop set at 31.5 at Crypto.com Arena.
James has only exceeded that number twice in his last six outings, but he has reached an OVER the last six times he's faced the Warriors dating back to last season. Obviously the presence of Luka Doncic could impact his production, but even if it does, this is the type of matchup that should still reinvigorate James' numbers.
Zach Edey OVER 19.5 Points + Rebounds vs. Heat (-106 at Sportsbook)
Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET
It's only a one-game window for the Memphis Grizzlies under the leadership of interim head coach Tuomas lisalo, but what we witnessed from rookie Zach Edey in a larger role than what had been accustomed to against Golden State on April 1 is what's encouraging this wager here.
Edey exceeded 30 minutes of action for the first time with Memphis, registering a double-double of 10 points and 16 rebounds while shooting 4-of-7 from the field and blocking four shots in the process. He only saw the floor for 12 minutes in his previous start under former coach Taylor Jenkins, but this is hopefully a sign of what's to come for the 7-foot-4 giant.
We'll only really know following what occurs on the road Thursday against the Miami Heat, who rank 10th and 20th in points and rebounds allowed to opposing centers, respectively. Edey did have a 12-point, eight-rebound showing versus Miami back not that long ago on March 15, which would barely eek out an OVER here.
Toumani Camara To Make 2+ 3-Pointers vs. Raptors (-136 at Sportsbook)
Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET
Perhaps the most surprising post All-Star break statistic of all is the fact that the Toronto Raptors rank first in defense at 109.3 points allowed per 100 possessions in 21 games. Opponents are only hitting one-third of their attempts from behind the arc during that span, as well, which makes betting on a 3-point prop against them a risky play.
This bet is more of an endorsement of Toumani Camara than anything else. The Portland Trail Blazers forward has drilled at least two triples in nine-straight games while converting at a 44.8-percent clip. This includes a home outing against the visiting Raptors on March 16 in which Camara went 3-of-6 from the perimeter.
Donte DiVincenzo OVER 14.5 Points + Rebounds vs. Nets (-112 at Sportsbook)
Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m. ET
Minnesota Timberwolves backup guard Donte DiVincenzo did the crime for his involvement in a scuffle against the Detroit Pistons on March 3 and ultimately did the time by serving a one-game suspension and therefore missing the team's surprising double-overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets on April Fools' Day.
He'll be back in uniform on Thursday for what could be an easy day at the office with Minnesota entering as the 13-point betting favorites over the Brooklyn Nets. DiVincenzo has gone OVER 14.5 combined points and rebounds in 11 of his last 15 outings for the Timberwolves, and could have made it three games in a row had he not been ejected after nine minutes versus Detroit.
The Nets have allowed 120.1 points per 100 possessions over their last three games, ranking 26th in the Association, although they have won their last two games. Nevertheless, Minnesota's offense is cooking teams to the tune of 122.8 points per 100 possessions across its last five games and should run away with this one, while perhaps freeing up some extra minutes for DiVincenzo off the bench to give the starters some rest.
