Last night, we came out of the All-Star break on a high note, sweeping the board.
It was great to have the NBA back in action with a 12-game slate. However, the downside to that is many of those teams now find themselves on back-to-backs tonight.
We still will be aiming to finish the workweek on a high note. To do so, I'll target two teams and one player who did not play last night, beginning with Trae Young in Atlanta.
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NBA Player Prop Picks for Friday, Feb. 23
In the table below, you'll find each of Action Network contributor Alex Hinton's top player prop picks from Friday's slate of games. Click on any pick or team logo to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Time (ET) | Player Prop |
|---|---|
| 7:30 p.m. | |
| 10 p.m. | |
| 10:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | |
Raptors vs. Hawks
Trae Young
Over 23.5 Points
Trae Young didn't head into the All-Star break on a high note, going under this line in four of his last five games. However, we're now getting this line at a discount.
Before his recent slump, Young hit this line in five consecutive games. He's still averaging 24.8 points per game in February, a shade under his season average.
Young is averaging 26.7 points per game for the season and 26.6 over his past 30 games. He's scored 24 points in 60% of his games this season, including 20 of his last 30 (67%).
Now, he gets a favorable matchup against a Raptors team that has enjoyed a lot of success against of late.
Young has hit line this line in each of his past five games against the Raptors and soared over it in the process. He's averaging 33 points in those games and has scored at least 29 points in each of those matchups.
In his three meetings against Toronto this season, Young has taken 24 shots in all three games and averaged 39 minutes. He was more efficient in the first two games, which came before the Raptors reshaped their roster via trades.
While he shot just 9-for-24 in the last meeting, he was reached the 30-point mark because he went 11-for-12 at the free-throw line. That's not uncommon for Young, who's averaging right around eight free throws per game and has averaged at least seven in each of the last five seasons.
Young will have the volume to hit this line, likely playing over 33 minutes and attempting 20 shots or more. He'll have an advantage going against a Toronto team that played last night and is flying into Atlanta.
Should he go off against the Raptors again, you can back him to score 30 points at +225 at DraftKings and 35 points at +600 at FanDuel.
Pick: Trae Young Over 23.5 Points (-120)
Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers
Anfernee Simons
Over 24.5 Points
Despite being Northwest Division rivals, the Nuggets and Trail Blazers didn't square off for the first time until February. The Nuggets hosted a two-game set and won both meetings, as they often do at home.
However, they didn't cover either game, in part because they had a hard time containing Anfernee Simons.
Simons scored 29 and 26 points in the two meetings. In those games, the Nuggets had their top perimeter defender in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope healthy, but KCP left last night's game with a right finger sprain and should be considered questionable for tonight's game.
Without Caldwell-Pope, Simons will likely see more of Reggie Jackson, Justin Holiday and/or Peyton Watson with the Nuggets traveling for a back-to-back as well.
Simons has hit this line in both of his games against Denver this season and also scored 29 against the Nuggets last season. He has also hit the over in five of his last 10 games overall and was hooked on 24 in another.
If he scores 25 points, it will likely come with a barrage of 3s. Simons has made at least three triples in eight of his last 10 games, including seven games with four 3s, two of which were against the Nuggets. That's despite Denver ranking third in 3s allowed per game.
Simons' 3s line sits at 3.5 (-115) tonight. If he does knock down four, he'll be halfway to his points total as well.
With a rest advantage tonight, Simons will be in a favorable position to score 25 against Denver once again.
Pick: Anfernee Simons Over 24.5 Points (-105)
Spurs vs. Lakers
LeBron James
Over 7.5 Assists
The Spurs and Lakers both played last night, and both lost on the road.
LeBron James didn't play as he continues to manage an ankle injury. While he's listed as questionable once again, he's expected to be back in the lineup.
The Lakers need him back tonight, as they're now just a half-game ahead of the Warriors for the ninth spot in the West.
Should James suit up tonight, he'll have a favorable matchup against a Spurs team that ranks 25th in scoring defense and assists allowed per game this season.
In San Antonio's past two games, it allowed eight assists to Luka Doncic and seven assists to Kyrie Irving before the Mavericks pulled away. Last night, it battled the Kings and allowed 11 assists to Domantas Sabonis and nine to De'Aaron Fox.
James has had 11 and 14 assists in his last two games against the Spurs. Anthony Davis sat out one of those games, so if he plays tonight, he should help James get three to four assists.
Additionally, James has averaged 8.8 assists over his past 10 games. He has hit this line in six of those and finished with seven assists in two other games in that span as well.
James has four games with double-digit assists in his past 10, including 14 assists against the Pelicans. The Lakers scored 139 points in that game, and I expect them to put a big number up against the Spurs as well.
If so, James might secure a double-double, which you can take at +145 at FanDuel.
Pick: LeBron James Over 7.5 Assists (-113)
