NBA Player Props & Picks: Target Giannis, Tobias Harris, Lonnie Walker

NBA Wednesday features a big time showdown in the East. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will be in Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers.

Meanwhile, LeBron James is expected to be back in the lineup for the Lakers as they take on the Sacramento Kings. However, one of his teammates may have better value for bettors tonight.

Read on for my three player props and picks for Wednesday night.

NBA Player Props & Picks

Bucks vs.

Cavaliers

Giannis Antetokounmpo Under 29.5 Points (-110)

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the NBA's fourth leading scorer at 31 points per game. Antetokounmpo is coming off a 42-point performance at New Orleans. He also had a recent streak of eight consecutive games with 30 points. However, since he has gone under in three of his last five games. Tonight, he has a tough matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavs allow the fewest points per game and the second-fewest points in the paint per game. They are also fifth in field goal percentage defense and two-point field percentage defense. These stats have a lot to do with the imposing duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley down low.

In two meetings against the Cavs this season, Giannis is 1-for-2 hitting this line and averaging 27 points per game. In one meeting, Allen left the game in the first half and Giannis finished with 38 points. However, Allen did not play in the other matchup and Giannis finished with 15 points on 6-of-18 shooting.

Taking an under on Giannis is nerve wracking because he can go for 30-40 points on any given night. However, with the Cavs at full strength, I expect Mobley to draw the assignment on Giannis with Allen offering weak side help.

Giannis thrives on getting downhill and dominating in the paint. If Cleveland can force him into more jumpers tonight, it may be hard for him to score 30 points.

Pistons vs.

76ers

Tobias Harris Over 16.5 Points (-110)

The Sixers have gotten healthier over the past few weeks with three of their big four back in the starting lineup. The first one back was Tobias Harris and he is averaging 19.6 points per game over his last 10 games. In eight of those games, he has scored at least 17 points and he finished with 14 in another.

Tonight, Harris gets his former team in the Detroit Pistons. Harris has played for several teams, so revenge may not be a big factor here. However, he still has a great matchup. Detroit ranks 29th in scoring defense, 27th in field goal percentage defense, and 28th in free throws allowed per game. The Pistons are also traveling on the second end of a back-to-back and playing their third game in four nights. Tired legs can lead to even more bad defense.

The Pistons allowed 38 points and nine 3-pointers to Lauri Markkanen last night. According to props.cash, they rank 23rd in defending power forwards. Additionally, the Pistons (along with most teams) do not have a great matchup for Joel Embiid. That could lead to more double teams and give Harris the chance to score off cuts or open spot-up opportunities.

Lakers vs.

Kings

Lonnie Walker Over 15.5 Points (-102)

Lonnie Walker's line has moved up to 15.5 this morning and it is -102 at FanDuel. If you want to avoid getting hooked, FanDuel also has 15+ at -130. Regardless, I like his matchup tonight against the Kings.

Walker is the Lakers' third leading scorer this season and he is averaging 15.4 points per game. However, without Anthony Davis in the lineup, he moves to second in the pecking order behind LeBron James. Walker has played five games without Davis this season and he scored 16 points or more in three of them. That includes 21 and 16 over his last two games with Davis out of the lineup.

Walker gets the Sacramento Kings tonight and he scored 19 against them in the first meeting. The Kings are 22nd in points allowed per game and 26th field goal percentage defense. They allow eighth-fewest 3s per game but are 23rd in 3-point percentage defense. Walker averages two 3s per game on five attempts and made two in the first meeting.

The Kings play at one of the fastest paces and this has potential to be a high scoring game. The first meeting had a 120-114 final score. If the Lakers are going to keep up, someone will have to score other than LeBron. I expect Walker to pick up the slack tonight.

Pick: Lonnie Walker Over 15.5 Points

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