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One of the wackier NBA weeks in recent memory continues Thursday with a significant drop in games, as there are only two contests on the docket, with both on the West Coast. Two of the four teams will also be on the back end of back-to-back sets, adding some intrigue to the small player pool.
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Let’s dive into a pair of player props that catch our eye for Thursday’s two-game ledger. Be sure to check out the NBA betting trends page for odds, data and insights on every game.
Best NBA Thursday Props
- Wendell Carter Jr. Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds
- Stephen Curry Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
Wendell Carter Jr. (Magic at Suns) Over Points + Rebounds
Carter has been busy early in the season while helping make up for the absence of Paolo Banchero (ankle), posting his best scoring (12.4 PPG) and rebounding (8.9) averages since the 2021-22 season. The big man is also shooting a career-best 61.2%, including a respectable 33.3% from three-point range. Carter has fallen short of this prop in each of the last two games in a pair of tough matchups against the Celtics and Wizards, but he averaged 23.4 points + rebounds across 31.6 minutes per contest over his first five games while 3-2 to the Over on this prop.
Carter could be back to his productive ways Thursday, as the Suns present an appealing matchup. Phoenix went into Wednesday’s game against the Trail Blazers already ranked No. 26 in offensive efficiency rating allowed to centers, while allowing an NBA-high 16.8 rebounds per contest to the position. The Suns had also conceded 59.2% shooting to the position, including 42.9% from behind the arc, and they then proceeded to allow a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double to Donovan Clingan and another nine points and eight boards to Robert Williams off the bench Wednesday.
With Banchero still out and Carter catching the Suns on the back end of a back-to-back, the Over is in play.
Original Line Publish: 20.5
Stephen Curry (Warriors vs. Heat) Over Points + Rebounds + Assists
Six games into the new season, Curry is already in elite form, averaging 30.0 points (with the help of 42.9% three-point shooting), 4.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per contest. Curry has been in even better form over the last three contests, a span in which he’s averaged 39.4 points + rebounds + assists across 31.3 minutes while shooting 43.2% from long range. The veteran sharpshooter is 3-0 to the Over on the 34.5 in that sample, and Thursday’s matchup could coax another one of his high-percentile performances from him.
The Heat went into Wednesday’s win over the Clippers playing at the league’s third-highest pace (107.6 possessions per game). Additionally, Miami was also surrendering the second-highest offensive efficiency rating to point guards (34.7), along with 49.1% shooting, including 40.0% from three-point range. The Heat then surrendered 26 points, seven assists and one rebound to Darius Garland on Wednesday, as well as 71.4% shooting. The Heat is also giving up 37.5% three-point shooting on the road, certainly relevant when considering a prop involving Curry.
Golden State has an implied team total of 121.5 points as well, furthering the case for another big night for Curry.
Original Line Publish: 34.5
Photo Credit: REUTERS
