NBA Prop Bets Heat Up as Key Players Face Favorable Matchups

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Tuesday’s five-game NBA slate offers a wealth of prop-betting opportunities, with several players poised to capitalize on favorable matchups. FanDuel Sportsbook’s daily projections highlight key players like Anfernee Simons, Mikal Bridges, and Rui Hachimura, who are expected to deliver strong performances.

Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers is coming off a rough shooting stretch, going 8-for-34 (23.5% FG%) in his last three games. However, he faces a Miami Heat team that ranks 26th in pace and allows the 10th-most assists and 6th-most rebounds per game. Simons has historically excelled against slower-paced teams, clearing 25.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists (PRA) in 71.4% of such games this season. FanDuel projects him to net 27.8 PRA in this matchup.

Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets is another player to watch. Averaging 24.4 PRA this season, Bridges has exceeded 23.5 PRA in 61.4% of his games. He faces a Nets team that ranks second-slowest in pace and struggles defensively, with the sixth-worst defensive rating in the league. Bridges has surpassed 23.5 PRA in 71.4% of games against bottom-eight pace teams. FanDuel forecasts 27.6 PRA for him in this contest.

Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers presents a unique opportunity for bettors. A 40% three-point shooter, Hachimura has made at least two threes in 48.6% of his games this season. He faces the Washington Wizards, who rank as the worst defense in the NBA and allow the second-most three-point makes per game. FanDuel projects Hachimura to hit 1.7 threes against his former team, making the +130 odds for 2+ made threes an appealing bet.

Elsewhere, the Philadelphia 76ers face an uphill battle against the Denver Nuggets without Joel Embiid. The Sixers’ playoff odds continue to slip, while the Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, boast the No. 4 offense in the league. Jokic, averaging 13.2 rebounds per game, is expected to dominate against a depleted Sixers frontcourt.

In New York, the Knicks are heavy favorites against the Brooklyn Nets, who have struggled defensively and rank 28th in net rating over their last 15 games. Knicks wing Josh Hart, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game, is a strong candidate to clear his rebound prop against the Nets’ 25th-ranked rebounding percentage.

As the NBA season progresses, prop bets remain a popular way for fans to engage with the game. With FanDuel’s projections and favorable matchups, Tuesday’s slate offers plenty of opportunities for savvy bettors.