NBA Player Prop & Pick
| Prop | Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 5.5 Assists |
| Matchup | Bucks vs. Grizzlies |
| Time | 8 p.m. ET |
| Best Book | DraftKings |
The Greek Freak is set to see an increase in usage, time of possession and passes made tonight as Jrue Holiday (knee) will miss his second straight game. The guard is averaging 7.4 assists per game, leading the Bucks in passes made (52.9) and potential assists (14.4).
In his 12 games with Khris Middleton but without Jrue Holiday since 2021, Giannis is averaging 5.92 assists per game. His assists percentage rises from 30.5% to 38.5% during the two seasons, and he leads his team in potential assists (12.2).
Thanks to the power of StatMuse, I was able to track the said games and sort them by the minutes played.
Giannis >30.5 MIN w/ Jrue OFF Middleton ON
| 1/13/22 | vs. GSW | 118-99 | 39 | 11 |
| 1/17/22 | vs. ATL | 121-114 | 37 | 6 |
| 1/9/22 | vs. CHA | 114-106 | 37 | 3 |
| 10/27/21 | vs. MIN | 113-108 | 35 | 7 |
| 1/10/22 | vs. CHA | 103-99 | 35 | 8 |
| 1/15/22 | vs. TOR | 103-96 | 35 | 4 (16 potential) |
Giannis <30.5 MIN w/ Jrue OFF Middleton ON
| 12/15/22 | vs. GSW | 128-111 | 30 | 5 |
| 3/26/22 | vs. MEM | 127-102 | 28 | 4 |
| 10/30/21 | vs. SAS | 102-93 | 28 | 3 |
| 1/7/22 | vs. BKN | 121-109 | 27 | 9 |
| 10/25/21 | vs. IND | 119-109 | 26 | 9 |
| 10/21/21 | vs. MIA | 137-95 | 23 | 2 |
He averages 6.5 assists per game when playing at least 31 or more minutes.
As for tonight's matchup, Giannis is averaging 6.8 assists per game in his last five meetings vs. the Grizzlies, dropping seven or more dimes in four games.
Against Jaren Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams' rim protection down low, Giannis will likely have difficulty driving in the lanes like normal, forcing him to pass out to his open perimeter shooters.
Over the last 15 games, the Grizzlies are permitting the third-fewest points in the paint while allowing the seventh most 3-pointers made on the third-most assists per game.
Oddsmakers suggest tonight will be a close one vs. the Grizzlies. Likely seeing full minutes, "Point Giannis" will need to step up and orchestrate the offense, making me love his chances of dropping six dimes.
