NBA Thursday player props: Fade Westbrook, DeRozan
We were one win shy of a sweep for the third night in a row Wednesday. Our 4-1 clip puts us at 12-3 on the week, with just one more slate left until the All-Star break.
Let's close out strong before getting a reset this weekend. Here are the best player props on the board.
Gary Trent Jr. over 18.5 points and over 3.5 made threes
Two weeks ago I mentioned Trent Jr.'s penchant for lighting it up on the second game of a back-to-back. The Blazers shooting guard has logged at least four made threes and 18 points in all five situations this season.
I don't want to get accustomed to playing Trent's total on every single occasion, but I can't pass up this opportunity Thursday: the Kings allow the second-most points and seventh-most made threes per game to shooting guards.
Russell Westbrook under 42.5 points+rebounds+assists
Westbrook actually has a pretty nice draw against the Clippers, who give up the second-most points and third-highest shooting percentage to point guards. However, I'm still not rushing to bet Westbrook over the total. There are still plenty of red flags.
While he's nearly averaging a triple-double for the league's fastest-paced offense, Westbrook's -1.1 offensive win shares are the lowest for any player in the top 40 of usage. He's getting his numbers, but it hasn't been gracious, and I don't think L.A.'s going to let the Wizards dictate the tempo.
DeMar DeRozan under 0.5 made threes
No margin for error here on DeRozan's 3-point makes, but it won't matter - he's attempted just two over his last four games and has only one make across his previous seven as he's become the team's top facilitator.
The Spurs attempt just 30.5 threes per game, which ranks No. 26 in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Thunder have defended the perimeter well, ranking No. 4 in opponent percentage. They've also surrendered the second-fewest made threes per contest to small forwards, making this an easy bet.
Draymond Green under 0.5 made threes
I'm sticking with the same thought process and fading Green against the Suns.
Phoenix allows just 1.78 successful threes per contest to power forwards, good for No. 3 in the league. Green hasn't attempted more than four in a game since Jan. 10 and he's hitting threes at a paltry 23.7% clip in 2020-21.
Brandon Ingram over 4.5 assists
Take the over on Ingram's assist total when the Pelicans meet the Heat on the second of a back-to-back. He's collected at least five in seven of the last 11 games and gets a Miami defense conceding the fourth-most to small forwards.
Miami's in the bottom-third of the league in assists allowed per game, while New Orleans' offense as a whole ranks No. 12.
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.