NBA Player Props and Best Bets: Foot Off the Gas for LeBron, Jokic More MVP Numbers?

It’s Friday, which can only mean one thing…it’s time to start the weekend the right way with my five best NBA player prop picks.

I went 4-1 with picks I shared here on Thursday. I called Paolo Banchero over 7.5 rebounds (he had 18) and Giannis Antetokounmpo over 6.5 assists (he had 20), and the only disappointment was Julius Randle failing to score 17.5 points.

Friday’s slate of games is highlighted by the Houston Rockets hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets visiting the Golden State Warriors, and more.

Here are my top five NBA player prop bets for Friday.

Also, be sure to check out our prediction for the Suns vs. Celtics matchup.

Odds for today's NBA prop bets are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Place a $5 wager at FanDuel Sportsbook and receive $200 in bonus bets if your bet wins.

Best NBA Prop Bets for Friday, April 4

Tyrese Haliburton Over 19.5 Points (-130) at FanDuel

In what has been a total reverse of last year, Haliburton started slowly but has been pouring it on recently and just went for 22 points on 60 percent shooting in his last game. He’s still trended under this line recently, but he averaged 19.8 points and 40.8 percent three-point shooting last month.

The Indiana Pacers are about to face the Utah Jazz, who are basically a G-League roster at this point and who allowed the most points per game over the last month. Haliburton only had 18 points the last time they played, but I expect him to right those wrongs with a strong performance.

Bet $5 at FanDuel, Get $200 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins

Jalen Duren Over 10.5 Rebounds (-114) at FanDuel

The 21-year-old Duren went over this line in three straight games and just played 34 minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder, showing his importance to the team. He averaged 10.3 rebounds per game and gets to take on a Toronto Raptors squad that is 22nd in rebounds allowed per game for the year and 28th over the last month.

Duren went under this line in two of three matchups with the Raptors, but all three were no more recent than Jan. 12. The Pistons are still working to get past the Milwaukee Bucks and into the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, and Duren is at the forefront of their plans.

Get $200 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel With a $5 Winning Wager

Chet Holmgren Under 14.5 Points (-114) at FanDuel

Holmgren can be very hit-or-miss with his scoring as the third option in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s attack. He split the over/under in two games against the Houston Rockets and had 22 points in his last game, but he had nine total points in two games before that and only scored 11 points in 30 minutes the last time he played Houston.

The Rockets allowed the fifth-fewest points per game and have done a great job defending against centers. Houston is desperately trying to hold onto the second seed in the West, while OKC already locked up the first seed comfortably, so this game should mean more to and demand a higher level of effort from the Rockets.

Grab $200 in Bonus Bets With a $5 Correct Bet at FanDuel

Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 Rebounds (-114) at FanDuel

When last seen, Jokic made history with a ridiculous 61-point, 10-rebound, 10-assists triple-double in a double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. I like him to cash the over after he had 12+ boards in nine of his last 13 games and out of frustration for that last result.

The Nuggets are playing an old Golden State Warriors team that is on the second night of a back-to-back and should have an emotional letdown after they beat the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors typically do a nice job on the glass, but they don’t have a regular member of their rotation that can match Jokic’s size.

Bet $5 at FanDuel and Get $200 in Bonus Bets if Your Wager Hits

LeBron James Under 23.5 Points (-132) at FanDuel

Speaking of the Lakers, LeBron put up 33 points, nine assists, and five rebounds on 66.7 percent shooting in 40 minutes in last night’s loss to the Warriors. That’s a lot of minutes for a 40-year-old, and he should be checked out after an emotionally-charged loss and against a terrible team like the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Pels are only 20th in points allowed per game over the last month, but Luka Doncic will likely want to make up for a terrible performance on Thursday, and Austin Reaves has been on fire. Trading for Luka enabled LeBron to coast through games like this one, and I expect that’s exactly what will play out.

Win a $5 Wager at FanDuel, Get $200 in Bonus Bets