The short-handed Philadelphia Sixers host the Brooklyn Nets in one of only four games on tonight’s NBA slate. The Sixers will be playing without their three best players (Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyreese Maxey) but expected to have Tobias Harris back in the lineup. Kyrie Irving is back in the mix for Brooklyn though Nicolas Claxton is questionable to play tonight. As always, be sure to check out the OddsShopper tool for more best NBA player props and best bets.
Best NBA Player Props | November 22
Kyrie Irving Prop: O/U 3.5 Assists
Kyrie Irving returned to Brooklyn’s lineup last game following his suspension. He had a pedestrian outing at best, playing only 26 minutes and failing to record a single assist. This was most probably an outlier performance given that Irving averages 4.6 assists per game this season (and 8.3 potential assists) and that it was only the second game (out of nine games played) that he had less than four assists at (the other game was against Milwaukee on October 26th).
Tonight is a good opportunity to buy low on Irving’s assists prop given that he is expected to play more minutes and be more involved as a distributer – Stokastic’s projections currently have him at roughly 35 minutes of playing time and 4.2 assists. As such, Irving going over his assists prop looks like a solid bet, currently sitting at 61.8% win percentage.
Best NBA Player Prop: Kyrie Irving OVER 3.5 Assists (-135 at multiple books)
De’Anthony Melton Prop: O/U 2.5 Steals + Blocks
De’Anthony Melton has the third highest steal percentage in the league (3.2%), averaging 1.7 steals per game, eighth-most in the league. He does so while playing an average of 26.1 minutes a game (career high) so any uptick in playing time should boost his steals potential. He is expected to start in Philly’s depleted backcourt tonight and is currently projected to play roughly 35 minutes. He also has a favorable matchup given that Brooklyn allows 2.09 steals per game to opposing point guards, sixth most in the league. In that respect, the Nets only allowed 1.31 steals to the position playing mostly without Irving in their last seven games (10th fewest) so his return to the lineup also bolsters Melton’s steals upside.
Melton had two or more steals in four out of his seven starts this season so taking the over on his steals prop (1.5, -110) is one way to try and take advantage of his increased playing time. However, the over on his combined “stocks” (steals + blocks) prop might provide better value (2.5, +110). Melton had one or more blocks in three of his games as a starter and he went over tonight’s stocks prop in four of his starts. Given the favorable matchup and added playing time, he is very much live to do so again tonight.
Best NBA Player Prop: De’Anthony Melton OVER 2.5 Steals + Blocks (+110 at DraftKings, 0.5-0.75 units)
