It is another crazy week for the NBA as players continue to enter health and safety protocols daily. However, that gives plenty of other players who are playing in the games the opportunity to step up for their teams.
Below, I have laid out three prop-bets that I'm playing, the case for each bet and the best books to find odds on those player props. We'll be using the Action Labs Player Prop tool to compare our NBA projections to the props posted at a variety of sportsbooks.
NBA Player Props & Picks
Caris LeVert, Over 21.5 PTS + AST (-120)
| Pacers vs. Heat | Pacers -2 |
| Time | TV | 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT |
| Best Book | PointsBet |
There are plenty of trade rumors surrounding the core players for the Indiana Pacers, including Caris LeVert. However, those trade rumors have not deterred the way LeVert is playing. In the month of December, LeVert is averaging 19.9 points per game dishing out 4.3 assists while shooting 47.7% from the field.
In his first matchup this season against the Miami Heat, LeVert scored 27 points and dished out three assists for the Pacers. Since then he's averaging 21.9 points and 4.3 assists. Furthermore, LeVert has exceeded 22.5 points and assists in three out his last four games for the Pacers.
Additionally, LeVert has seen an increase in playing minutes for the Pacers. Over the last seven games, LeVert has played 30-plus minutes in six games, including four games where he played 35 or more. And three of his highest minute totals of the season have come in his past four games. He's projected for 25.7 points and assists and I expect the Pacers to lean on him enough again to get us over here.
Chris Paul, Over 25.5 PTS + AST (-106)
| Suns vs. Lakers | Suns -6.5 |
| Time | TV | 10 p.m. ET | TNT |
| Best Book | DraftKings |
It comes as no shock but Chris Paul is having another incredible season for the Phoenix Suns. Paul has led the Suns to a 24-5 record which as resulted in a tie for first place in the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors.
Paul is playing his 17th season in the NBA this year and leads the league in assists averaging 10.1 per game. Additionally, over the last 10 games Paul is averaging 15.1 points and 9.5 assists per game. Thus far this year the Phoenix Suns rank No. 4 in the entire league in assists per game.
Over his past four games against the Lakers, CP3 is averaging 13.5 points and 11.7 assists per game. On Oct. 22 of this season, Paul finished the game with 23 points and 14 assists. The Suns also saw the return of Devin Booker in their last game, which means the floor will be more open for Paul to navigate.
I love the Chris Paul to continue his success against the Lakers tonight in Staples Center.
LeBron James, Over 34.5 PTS + REB (-115)
| Best Book | PointsBet |
The Lakers lost All-Star Anthony Davis for a minimum of four weeks due to a MCL Sprain he suffered against the Wolves last week. James naturally sees a slight increase in Usage Rate with Davis off the floor and without their big man, James has been employed as the center in a number of lineups.
In Davis' absence, James will have to carry this team. In fact, over the last 10 games James is averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7 assists. In four games without Davis this season, James is averaging 33.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game and has scored 30 or more points in each game.
James is projected to hit this exact number, but I like LeBron to play well against his close friend CP3 and the Suns tonight. Give me the over.
