The NBA season tipped off last night with the Celtics beginning their title defense against the Knicks while the Lakers hosted the Timberwolves.
On Wednesday night, we get the first full slate of the year and one debut is Zach Edey, who will make his NBA debut against the Jazz. Additionally, two All-Star guards we will be backing tonight are Tyrese Haliburton and Donovan Mitchell.
Let's get right into our NBA player props for Wednesday, October 23.
Best NBA Player Props for Wednesday
- Tyrese Haliburton Over 9.5 Assists (-115 at DraftKings)
- Kevin Durant Over 23.5 (-111)/Over 3.5 Assists (+110 at Caesars)
- Donovan Mitchell Over 25.5 Points (-113 at FanDuel)
- Trae Young Over 25.5 Points (-105 at BetMGM)
- Zach Edey Over 8.5 Rebounds (+106 at FanDuel)
- Zion Williamson Over 22.5 Points (-115 at BetMGM)
- Coby White Over 18.5 Points (-120 at Caesars)
NBA Player Props for October 23
Prop Bet #1: Tyrese Haliburton Over 9.5 Assists (-115 at DraftKings)
By Alex Hinton
Last season, the Indiana Pacers led the NBA in points per game and were second in offensive rating. The engine was Tyrese Haliburton, who led the league with 10.9 assists per game. Now, the Pacers have Pascal Siakam fully integrated into their offense after being acquired midseason and they will see the return of Bennedict Mathurin. The two dynamic scorers will only help Haliburton's assists.
Haliburton averaged nearly 11 assists per game in the regular season last year and we are getting a discount on 10 assists tonight. He had 10 assists in 69% of his regular season games last year. He also has had 10 assists in six of his last meetings against the Pistons, averaging 11.5 per game over that stretch.
I'm expecting Haliburton to have a double-double tonight and it will likely be with assists. He has had 13 assists in three of his past six games against the Pistons with 16 and 17 in two of those games. You can also back him for 12 assists at +220 and 14 assists at +550 on FanDuel.
Prop Bet #2: Kevin Durant Over 23.5 (-111) | Over 3.5 Assists (+110 at Caesars)
The Suns/Clippers game became a clear Suns spot with the news Kawhi Leonard would be out for this game and indefinitely to start the Clippers season. The total has steadily climbed, and in large part because the Suns expected offensive output bringing in coach Mike Budenholzer.
The Bud system featured Khris Middleton for years in Milwaukee being a key playmaker and offensive initiator, and I expect Kevin Durant to step into that role and expand on it. Consider the health, the additions of Tyus Jones as a true point guard, and more shooting depth, I think the Suns have a chance to get out hot and that will be led by superstar Kevin Durant.
Prop Bet #3: Donovan Mitchell Over 25.5 Points (-113 at FanDuel)
By Alex Hinton
The Cavaliers have a new head coach with Kenny Atkinson taking over the lead chair. One thing that is not expected to change is Donovan Mitchell's scoring prowess. Mitchell has averaged 25.9 points per game in each of the last four seasons. Despite playing through a knee injury at times, he still averaged 26.6 points per game.
Tonight, Mitchell should have a favorable matchup against Toronto. Last season, Toronto allowed 117.6 points per game, which ranked 27th in the league. It allowed 21.8 points per game to shooting guards, but also 3.4 3-pointers per game.
Mitchell has become one of the league's highest volume 3-point shooters as he has attempted over eight 3s per game in each of the past four years. If he knocks three or four tonight, he can get a chunk of this line from behind the arc and he may push towards 30 points as well. Mitchell has hit this line in two of the last four meetings, scoring 35 points in one of them. He is +185 for 30 points and +420 for 35 points.
Prop Bet #4: Trae Young Over 25.5 Points (-105 at BetMGM)
The Hawks/Nets line movement has taken one directional steam to the over since the open this summer at 219.5. Each time there is a movement, its a half move up on the total. Now at 221.5, the slow movement of the action shows bets are coming in on the over consistently, more-so than it being a repricing of the line and instantly moving 2 points.
In preseason priors department, Trae Young was a top 3 candidate for scoring leader in the NBA, and the Hawks were a projected top 5 team in total scoring. If those things bear fruition, it starts right away vs the Brooklyn Nets.
Prop Bet #5: Zach Edey Over 8.5 Rebounds (+106 at FanDuel)
By Alex Hinton
After a dominant college career that culminated with an appearance in the National Championship game, Zach Edey was the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Whether his playing style would translate to the NBA has been questioned by many, but the Grizzlies have been looking for a center to replace Steven Adams.
Edey immediately becomes one of the largest players in the NBA and the Grizzlies will need him to fill a big role immediately. While Edey was expected to start regardless. the Grizzlies will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. for their season opener. Jackson is not the greatest rebounder in the world, but his absence opens up a few more rebound chances for Edey.
In the preseason, Edey averaged 7.2 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game, a rate that would put him on target for nine rebounds if he plays closer to 28-30 minutes. In summer league, Edey had 15 rebounds in 34 minutes against the Jazz. While summer league caveats do apply, it is relevant tonight because the performance came against Jazz center Walker Kessler. Edey outrebounded him 15-6 in that game and Kessler is no slouch, averaging eight per game through his first two seasons.
Edey comes into tonight's game as the betting favorite to win Rookie of the Year. His path to winning the award will be hitting the glass and piling up double-doubles given that he will be not a featured scorer behind Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jackson when he returns. He can start off by pulling down nine rebounds tonight to clear this number. He is also +340 for 12 rebounds and +800 for 14 rebounds.
Prop Bet #6: Zion Williamson Over 22.5 Points (-115 at BetMGM)
As of this writing, Zion is listed as questionable with a reported non-COVID illness. I imagine if the Pelicans roll out their franchise star player into opening night, the plan will be to give him his normal allotment of minutes, and the matchup advantage here is extreme. These are two teams that will seek playing in transition, and Zion will be guarded by Patrick Williams with helpside Nikola Vucevic.
I feel bad for those defenders, Zion looked to only improve throughout the offseason to what we saw in the play in tournament game last April, where he was dominant against the Lakers before hurting his hamstring.
Prop Bet #7: Coby White Over 18.5 Points (-120 at Caesars)
Coby White has become the clear leader in the locker room for this team, and I expect that to translate on the court in the same way as last season. There is a price dip to start the year because of the additions of Giddey, Lonzo returning to health, and LaVine also coming back.
However, all indications from the Bulls beats is that this offense still runs through White. Going against the Pelicans who will play without a true center, give me Coby White to attack the basket and put up 20 points. Lonzo Ball having a points prop of 4.5 points is a signal that his minutes projection is around 12-15, and White will be the scorer.
