There are seven games scheduled for Thursday night's NBA schedule, but from a betting standpoint, the most interesting matchup appears to be between the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets. The Knicks enter this matchup on a three-game winning streak, while the Nuggets will be looking for revenge. His two props in this match caught my attention. Let's take a closer look at that and the rest of my picks for Thursday.
Brunson is the engine that drives the Knicks offense, and his 31.4% usage rate this season reflects that. Brunson has topped that line in six of his last 10 games and 13 of his last 20. The Nuggets rank 13th in rebounds allowed to point guards and seventh in assists allowed to point guards per game, but Brunson still ranks above that line. Over the last 20 games, he is averaging 6.1 rebound chances and 9.5 potential assists per game.
Murray has been above that line in seven of his last 10 games and six of his last 10 home games. The Nuggets are 9.5 point favorites and got off to a fast start Thursday night, which could hint at an early playmaking opportunity for Murray.
The Hawks are still without Trae Young, and Murray has put together a middling performance over the past 10 games, clearing the line just four times. However, during that span, he averaged 20.9 field goal attempts per game. There are some positives: Murray has been used 29.9% of games without Young this season, and the Hawks will also be without Jaylen Johnson. Murray has scored 23 points or more in each of the past five games that Johnson has missed. The Hawks trail the Suns by 9.5 points, but this matchup has the second-highest total points (226.5) as of Thursday.
Given the way Sabonis has played, the idea of betting on this might be troubling. He's cleared that line in four of the last five games, but the Kings are 11.5 points favorites on the road against a formidable Wizards team that ranks 30th in points allowed per 100 possessions. is. Sabonis has been below that line in 70% of the Kings' last 20 games won by 10 points or more.
Zion Williamson, over 5.5 rebounds.
Williamson has cleared that line in seven straight games and averaged 12.2 rebound chances per game over the past 10 games. He will play Thursday night against a Magic team that plays at the slowest pace in the league and ranks third in points allowed per 100 possessions.
Cam Thomas scores over 22.5 points..
Thomas has cleared the line in four of his last six games since returning from a right ankle injury, averaging 17.8 field goal attempts and 32.5 minutes per game. The Bucks have been vulnerable on the perimeter all season, ranking 24th in points allowed per game to shooting guards. This is the perfect place for Thomas to travel.
Prediction and injury reporting
Odds are provided by ESPN BET. Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics Injury tally by Rotowire.com.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Orlando Magic
7 p.m., Amway Center, Orlando
Recording (spread prevention)
Pelicans: 42-26 (38-29-1)
Magic: 41-28 (45-24-0)
line: Pelicans (-2.5) total: 207.5
Money line: Pelicans (-140), Magic (+120)
BPI prediction: Pelicans trail by 1.5, 55% straight, 226.0 total points.
Reporting an injury:
Pelicans: Matt Ryan (GTD – Illness); Dyson Daniels (OUT – Knee)
Magic: Not reported
Sacramento Kings vs. Washington Wizards
7 p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Recording (spread prevention)
Kings: 40-28 (35-32-1)
Wizards: 11-58 (30-38-1)
line: Kings (-11.5) total: 236.5
Money line: Kings (-575), Wizards (+410)
BPI prediction: Kings trail by 7.1, 73% straight, 237.2 points total.
Reporting an injury:
Kings: Kevin Huerter (GTD – Shoulder); Sasha Vezenkov (GTD – Ankle); Trey Lyles (OUT – Knee)
Wizards: Deni Avdija (GTD – knee); Richaun Holmes, (GTD – illness); Eugene Omoruyi, (OUT – ankle); Landry Shamet (OUT – calf); Marvin Bagley III, (OUT – Back); Tyus Jones, (OUT – Back); Bilal Koulibaly, (OUT – Wrist); Isaiah Livers (OUT – Hip)
Chicago Bulls vs. Houston Rockets
8pm Toyota Center, Houston
Recording (spread prevention)
Bulls: 34-35 (35-33-1)
Rockets: 33-35 (37-29-2)
line: Rockets (-3.5) total: 218.5
Money line: Bulls (+135), Rockets (-160)
BPI prediction: Rockets score 4.2 points, 65% straight up, totaling 226.2 points.
Reporting an injury:
Bulls: Alex Caruso (GTD – Ankle); Coby White, (GTD – Hip); Julian Phillips, (OUT – Foot); Lonzo Ball, (Out – Knee); Patrick Williams (OUT – Foot); Zach LaVine (OUT – Foot)
Rockets: Cam Whitmore, (out – knee). Alperen Sengun, (OUT – Ankle); Steven Adams (OUT – Knee); Tali Eason (OUT – Lower Leg)
Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
8pm Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
Recording (spread prevention)
Net: 26-43 (29-37-3)
Bucks: 44-25 (31-38-0)
line: Bucks (-9.5) total: 220.5
Money line: Nets (+340), Bucks (-450)
BPI prediction: Bucks lead by 9.1 points, 79% straight, 238.1 points total.
Reporting an injury:
Nets: Nick Claxton (GTD – Illness); Dorian Finney-Smith, (OUT – Ankle); Ben Simmons, (Out – Back); Darik Whitehead (OUT – Lower Leg)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo (GTD – Hamstring)
Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. American Airlines Center in Dallas
Recording (spread prevention)
Jazz: 29-40 (37-32-0)
Mavericks: 40-29 (39-30-0)
line: Mavericks (-14.5) total: 237.5
Money line: Jazz (+750), Mavericks (-1400)
BPI prediction: The Mavericks trailed by 11.9 points, shot 86% straight, and scored 242.6 total points.
Reporting an injury:
Jazz: Jordan Clarkson (GTD – groin); Lauri Markkanen (GTD – quadriceps)
Mavericks: Brandon Williams (GTD – Wrist); Josh Green (OUT – Ankle)
New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets
9 p.m., Ball Arena, Denver
Recording (spread prevention)
Knicks: 41-27 (36-31-1)
Nuggets: 48 wins, 21 losses (31 wins, 36 losses, 2)
line: Nuggets (-9.5) total: 207.5
Money line: Knicks (+340), Nuggets (-450)
BPI prediction: The Nuggets are up 6.1 points, 71% straight up, and total 226.8 points.
Reporting an injury:
Knicks: Julius Randle (OUT – Shoulder); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT – Ankle); OG Anunoby (OUT – Elbow)
Nuggets: Sieg Nagy (GTD – Back); Vlatko Kancal (OUT – Knee)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns
10:30pm Footprint Center, Phoenix
Recording (spread prevention)
Hawks: 30-38 (23-45-0)
Suns: 40-29 (29-39-1)
line: Suns (-9.5) total: 226.5
Money line: Hawks (+320), Suns (-430)
BPI prediction: The Suns have a 7.2 lead, a straight 74%, and a total of 238.7 points.
Reporting an injury:
Hawks: Seth Lundy (GTD – Back); Wesley Matthews, (GTD – Illness); AJ Griffin, (OUT – Lower Leg); Jalen Johnson, (OUT – Ankle); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT – Toe) ; Mohamed Gueye, (OUT – Elbow); Trae Young, (OUT – Finger); Sadiq Bey (OUT – Knee)
Suns: Josh Okogie (GTD – Abdominal). Damion Lee (OUT – knee)
