Best NBA prop bets today for Bucks vs. Pelicans (Khris Middleton undervalued in market)
Breaking down the best prop bets for the Milwaukee Bucks-New Orleans Pelicans matchup on Thursday night.
By Peter Dewey
The Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans face off in the only nationally televised NBA game on the two-game slate on Thursday night.
The Bucks are road favorites in this game – a spot that they are under .500 against the spread in this season – so should we look to the prop market to bet on them tonight?
That’s where I’m leaning, with plays for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Pelicans guard CJ McCollum.
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Let’s dive into these plays:
Bucks vs. Pelicans best NBA prop bets
- Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 30.5 points
- CJ McCollum OVER 4.5 assists
- Khris Middleton OVER 10.5 rebounds and assists
Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 30.5 points
Giannis Antetokounmpo fell short of this prop in a double overtime game on Tuesday night, but he’s still scored 31 or more points in four of his last nine games, averaging 31.0 points per game over that stretch.
The Pelicans are one of the best teams at defending the paint, but I can’t see Giannis deferring to Damian Lillard (28 shots on Tuesday) in a game that the Bucks need to win with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks on their heels for the No. 2 seed.
Giannis is averaging 30.6 points per game, so he’s certainly capable of clearing this prop tonight.
CJ McCollum OVER 4.5 assists
When Brandon Ingram is out – which he is tonight – CJ McCollum is a great bet to go OVER his assists number.
In eight games without Ingram, CJ is averaging 5.1 assists per game, clearing 4.5 dimes in seven of those matchups.
The Pelicans guard should have a favorable matchup here, as the Bucks are 16th in the league in opponent assists per game. Until he goes under, CJ is a must bet in this prop.
Khris Middleton OVER 10.5 rebounds and assists
Since coming back from an ankle injury, Khris Middleton has cleared this prop in three of four games, putting up 10, 12, 20, 13 assists and rebounds in those games.
Middleton is averaging 4.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, but those numbers have jumped to 6.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game since returning.
I’m not sure Middleton keeps up that pace, but this prop should be set around 11.5 or 12.5 given his recent play. Take advantage of the lower line tonight.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.