After spending the first half of the season looking like they would challenge for the second seed, an injury to the reigning MVP sparked a tailspin for the 76ers.
As a result, they slipped to the Play-In Tournament but still secured homecourt in this matchup with a late-season surge. Another big night from Tyrese Maxey may help Philly take a series against the Knicks.
They will have to get by the battle-tested Heat, who are led by Jimmy Butler. A few of Butler's baskets tonight may come off assists from Tyler Herro.
In Chicago, the Bulls will host the Hawks in the 9-10 matchup. Trae Young will also be looking to set up his teammates, particularly Clint Capela, who will have to match Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond on the glass.
Let's dive into my top NBA player props and picks for Wednesday, April 17.
NBA Player Prop Picks
In the table below, you'll find each of our NBA staff's top player prop picks from today'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 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
| 9:30 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. | |
Heat vs. 76ers
Tyrese Maxey
Over 24.5 Points
On Christmas Day, Maxey had one of his worst games of the season, going 4-for-20 from the field and scoring just 12 points.
However, that game is the only time he struggled against Miami this season. Maxey has scored 30 points in each of his last three games against the Heat. Dating back to last season, Maxey has scored 25 points in four of the last six meetings and scored 23 in another.
In the final regular-season meeting, Maxey scored 37 points in Miami with Joel Embiid playing. While Maxey has found success with and without Embiid on the floor, it's obviously much easier for him — and the team — when Embiid is playing.
With Embiid on the court, Maxey isn't the No. 1 option offensively, but Embiid's presence draws attention away from him.
At times without Embiid, Maxey was face-guarded as soon as he crossed halfcourt. Teams denied him the ball and doubled him in crunch time to get the ball out of his hands.
With Bam Adebayo on the floor, Miami may not double Embiid as much as other teams. However, the two-man game — which features Embiid kicking it out — will help Maxey in this matchup today.
Additionally, Maxey comes into tonight's game averaging 27.2 points over his past 10 games. He has cashed this over in seven of them, including against Miami. Maxey is also +290 to score 30 points at FanDuel tonight.
Pick: Tyrese Maxey Over 24.5 Points (+102)
Tyler Herro
More Than 4.5 Assists
After missing over a month with an injury, Herro returned early this month against the Rockets and had six assists. Since then, Herro has surpassed this projection in four of his past six games.
Dating back to February, Herro has racked up at least five dimes in six of his last 10 games and has had two games with four assists in that span as well.
Herro has played 30 minutes or more in eight of his last 10 games, averaging 33.9 minutes per game. With that playing time, Herro has averaged 9.3 potential assists per game.
While Miami can struggle to score at times, we need Herro to convert 55% of those chances to reach this projection tonight.
If his recent matchups against the 76ers hold true, that shouldn't be an issue. Herro has had five assists in each of his last four games against Philadelphia, including games of six and seven assists. He should be able to reach this number tonight.
Pick: Tyler Herro More Than 4.5 Assists
Hawks vs. Bulls
Trae Young & Clint Capela
10+ Assists & 10+ Rebounds
By Alex Hinton
From the point guard and center positions, the Hawks have two players who regularly give them double-doubles.
Trae Young was limited to 55 games this season, missing 23 because of a torn ligament in his pinkie. However, that was enough time for him to qualify statistically, and he finished second in the league with 10.8 assists per game.
The Hawks guard finished with 10 assists in 37-of-55 (67%) games this season. He also had 10 in two of his final three regular-season games despite minute restrictions.
Young now faces a Bulls team tonight that ranked 23rd in assists allowed per game in the regular season. He has also had 10 assists or more in four of the last five meetings against Chicago, averaging 12 per game.
Young often sets up center Clint Capela for lobs, as the big man averaged 11.5 points per game this season. Capela also scores on putbacks since he averaged 4.6 offensive rebounds per game this season.
When you factor in his work on the defensive end, Capela averaged 10.6 rebounds per game — the seventh consecutive season in which he averaged 10 or more.
The Bulls are more stingy in terms of rebounds allowed, ranking 15th in the league. Vucevic and Drummond average 19.5 rebounds per game combined, but both of them — particularly Drummond — spend most of their time around the basket. That means Capela won't have to go very far to collect his rebounds tonight.
Capela has had 10 rebounds in four of his last five games against the Bulls, averaging 11.2 in that span. He's also averaging 11.1 rebounds over his past 10 games, collecting at least 10 in eight of them.
Without both Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, the Hawks will need Capela to battle on the glass to help pull out a road win tonight.
Pick: Trae Young & Clint Capela 10+ Assists & 10+ Rebounds (-120)
