The month of February has reached its swift conclusion, and the NBA schedule has a slew of marquee matchups across its 10-game slate on Friday night to capitalize on the player props market.
Here are four expert player prop picks to potentially boost your units, including a point prop for Donovan Mitchell (-110) as the two best teams in the Eastern Conference square off on February 28 when the Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Donovan Mitchell OVER 27.5 Points vs. Celtics (-110)
Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ET
There's just something about playing the Celtics which ignites the flame within Mitchell, as his offensive numbers see a clear uptick whenever the reigning champions are standing across from him.
In three games versus Boston this season, the six-time All-Star is averaging 33.7 points while shooting 49.3 percent from the field with over four made 3-pointers. Mitchell hasn't scored fewer than 31 points and has had exactly 35 points on two occasions, as well, and that's a good sign considering his points prop is set at 27.5 points at the TD Garden.
Dating back to the 2023-24 campaign and the best-of-seven series in last year's playoffs, Mitchell has gone OVER 27.5 points in eight-straight meetings with Boston. Now he's only hit an OVER once in his last six outings for Cleveland, but playing the Celtics in a potential preview of the conference finals is the perfect setting to get back on track.
Devin Booker To Make 4+ 3-Pointers vs. Pelicans (+200)
Preview: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns, 9 p.m. ET
It's deja vu for the struggling Phoenix Suns as they'll host the New Orleans Pelicans for the second time in as many nights at the Footprint Center after falling 124-116 on Thursday. It was a dismal defensive performance by Phoenix against the Association's 25th-ranked offense, and one that could very well repeat itself 24 hours later considering the trajectory the Suns are on.
Devin Booker had one of his stronger offensive box scores of the campaign with 36 points in 42 minutes, but the number we'll be eying here was his output from the perimeter as the 28-year-old sniper matched his career high with 16 3-point attempts. New Orleans ranks last in February in opponent's 3-pointers made (16.3) and attempted (45.6), so resistance was clearly limited.
He's only converted four or more 3-pointers twice in his last 11 games, but he did go 3-of-10 against the Pelicans back on Dec. 5, so history shows that Booker is going to chuck up a ton of looks from deep and that makes this plus-money wager extremely captivating.
Josh Giddey OVER 17.5 Points vs. Raptors (+104)
Preview: Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls, 8 p.m. ET
Accumulating four-straight games of 20 or more points isn't enough for oddsmakers to pay respect to Josh Giddey, who is at plus money at 17.5 points on Friday when the Chicago Bulls host the visiting Toronto Raptors at the Untied Center.
Whether or not an OVER manifests remains to be seen, but the streak is long enough to justify betting here. Giddey is averaging 24.3 points during this stretch and knocking down a 57.9 percent of his shots. That doesn't even take into account his near triple-double averages of 12 rebounds and eight assists, adding fuel to possibly even betting on some Giddey combination props.
Let's stick with points, though, because that number has shown some sustainability lately in a Bulls offense looking for its next top option in a post-Zach LaVine world.
Ivica Zubac OVER 26.5 Points + Rebounds vs. Lakers (-106)
Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. ET
As surprisingly stout as the Los Angeles Lakers' defense has been as of late (107.2 points allowed per 100 possessions in February, second), there's simply no answer on their roster for all seven feet and 240 pounds of Ivica Zubac, which rings true even more so with the Lakers playing on the second night of a back-to-back slate.
It's only been two games, but Zubac is averaging a monster double-double of 14.5 points and 14.5 rebounds versus Los Angeles this season, which includes a 21-point, 19-rebound line on Jan. 19. He greatly exceeded an OVER of 26.5 in this combination prop that day, but did fall well below less than a month later on Feb. 4 (eight points and 10 rebounds) in a 25-point home loss for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Zubac has gone OVER this number in three of his last four games, and will likely be given every opportunity by head coach Tyronn Lue to exploit a vulnerable Lakers interior which lacks the size and length to give him much trouble.
NBA Best Player Prop Trends Today
- Kawhi Leonard has gone UNDER 23.5 points + assists in 16 of his last 19 games (19.1 points + assists/game average) - (-112 at FanDuel)
- James Harden has gone OVER 4.5 turnovers in 4 of his last 5 games on the road (5.2 turnovers/game average) - (-110 at bet365)
- The UNDER hit in 8 of the Boston Celtics' last 12 games vs. top 10 scoring defenses - UNDER 233.5 Points (-110 at FanDuel)
- Gradey Dick has gone UNDER 1.5 assists in 11 of his last 13 games (1.1 assists/game average). - (-120 at bet365)
- Zion Williamson has gone OVER 25.5 points in 5 of his last 6 games vs. bottom 10 defenses for points allowed (28.8 points/game average). - (-102 at FanDuel)
Zion Williamson OVER 25.5 Points vs Suns (-102)
Zion Williamson is in great form, and tonight’s matchup sets him up to keep rolling. The -102 odds are appealing with a smaller vig, and Zion has a strong track record against Phoenix. He’s topped 25.5 points in six of seven career games against the Suns, including dropping 27 points on them just yesterday.
The Suns' defense has been struggling, allowing 116.07 points per game this season—ranking 23rd in the NBA. That will not scare someone like Zion, who thrives in matchups against weaker defensive units, as the Outlier trend shows us. With Williamson already running hot and Phoenix showing no signs of tightening up defensively, the OVER 25.5 points is a solid pick.
- Ethan Diamandas
