The NBA is jump-starting the weekend with a star-studded doubleheader on ESPN tonight, Friday, Dec. 1. The Philadelphia 76ers are in Boston for their third matchup with the league-leading Celtics. Then, the Denver Nuggets take on Phoenix for their first battle with the Suns this season.
We’re looking at the best NBA player props for Friday night wagering action. With all the offensive firepower between these four teams, the 76ers vs. Celtics and Nuggets vs. Suns should be two terrific games.
Expect a potential playoff-like atmosphere tonight, as the Celtics beat the 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the Nuggets beat the Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals. Tonight’s rematch of title contenders makes the betting action even more exciting.
Best NBA prop bets on tonight: 76ers vs. Celtics, Nuggets vs. Suns
Our favorite player props of the day are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Jaylen Brown UNDER 2.5 made 3-pointersDerrick White OVER 4.5 assistsNikola Jokić OVER 30.5 pointsKevin Durant OVER 30.5 points
76ers vs. Celtics betting odds
Look at the live 76ers vs. Celtics betting odds from top US sports betting apps.
Jaylen Brown UNDER made 3-pointers
Although the Celtics hold the best record in the NBA, they aren’t getting the type of production they are accustomed to from Brown.
He’s averaging nearly five fewer points per game than last season, and his field goal percentage has dipped by four percentage points. That doesn’t build confidence for him to get hot behind the arc against Philly, who has a plethora of versatile defenders to throw his way this season.
In their first matchup this year, Brown was held to 11 points on 4-for-13 from the field to go along with four turnovers.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is listed as out for the Sixers, and their star big man Joel Embiid is listed as day-to-day. That moves Robert Covington to the starting small forward spot for Philly, which boosts the 76ers’ starting defense even more.
However, they will struggle to defend the rim without Embiid if he misses the game, likely leading to more driving attempts from Brown and Co.
Between the Sixers’ stellar perimeter defenders and the lane being more vulnerable, look for Brown to go under on this line from deep tonight.
Read: NBA win total odds
Derrick White OVER assists
Derrick White is a terrific glue guy. White performs well against teams with strong perimeter defenses by setting up his teammates with high-quality shots. With so much attention to Tatum and Brown, White has become an underrated playmaker with the ball in his hands.
The Celtics rely on White to create shots when Tatum and Brown are getting extra attention in the form of double teams or elite individual defenders.
Since White is an excellent three-point shooter, defenders must press up on him. He uses that advantage by attacking the rim and drawing in the defense. This leads to ample drive and kick opportunities that create good shots at the rim and beyond the arc for others.
In the two matchups with Philly this season, White shot the ball more than his season average and registered at least five assists. That trend will continue tonight as Philly dials up tough looks to keep Tatum and Brown out of rhythm.
Information: NBA Rookie of the Year odds | NBA MVP odds
Nuggets vs. Suns betting odds
Here are the live Nuggets vs. Suns betting odds from top sports betting sites.
Nikola Jokić OVER points
The Suns made major changes to their roster in the offseason, but none will help them slow down Nikola Jokić. The two-time MVP has scored 30 or more in his last four games and registered two triple-doubles. Tonight, he’s facing a Phoenix team that is soft inside, ranking 23rd in the league in points in the paint allowed per contest (53).
Additionally, the Nuggets have Jamal Murray back, who makes it more challenging to double Jokić on the block.
Doubling Jokić creates wide-open looks for Murray, Kevin-Porter Jr., and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, all of whom can make teams pay for leaving them open beyond the arc. Jokić has made it abundantly clear that no one in the league can stop him one-on-one, and that won’t change tonight against the Suns’ troublesome defense.
More: How to bet on the NBA | Best NBA betting sites
Kevin Durant OVER points
Health issues have plagued the Suns this year. Two of their three stars, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, have been in and out of the lineup this young season. Their “Big 3” didn’t make their season debut together until mid-November, and it didn’t last long before someone sat out another game.
Tonight, they could be without Booker and Beal yet again. Their absence has completely opened up the court for Kevin Durant, who is second in the league in points per game.
Durant is shooting nearly 50% from deep and 52% from the field, scoring 30 or more in seven of his last eight games. The “Slim Reaper” has averaged 28 points against the Nuggets in his career, so he’s used to having success against Denver.
Given the injuries the Suns are enduring, the Nuggets may be happy with Durant getting his points and preventing a big night from the rest of the roster.
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