Best NBA Player Props for April 17
It’s pretty slow for a Saturday in the NBA with just six games on tap. The Lakers kick off the day in a nationally televised game against Utah at 4:30 p.m. ET while the Suns continue their chase of said Jazz for the league’s best record when they host San Antonio at 10:00. Even though it’s a light schedule, here’s an important reminder to set those lineups as most head-to-head leagues start their playoffs in just two days. Good luck if you’re one of those squads fighting for a spot of a regular-season championship.
But don’t stop your fantasy fix there. Also, check out FanDuel to put a team together to make a quiet night that much more exciting. We lived by the sword and died by the sword on Thursday. Mikal Bridges his our recommended over by a point and half, while De’Aaron Fox sunk us by missing the under by a point and a half. We stick at 11 games over .500 with a 59-48 mark for the season heading into Saturday night. As always, we stand behind our predictions, but take a look to see if any other players jump out at you by using the SportsGrid Player Prop Tool. Ensure you always check back throughout the day, as odds and projections may change with news and starting rotations. The only place you need to go is to our good friends at the FanDuel Sportsbook, where they have all the up-to-date, top odds in the industry.
Detroit Pistons Jerami Grant vs. Washington Wizards
The Bet: Over 21.5 Points (-120)
Jerami Grant has had the definition of a breakout season. Grant is second to only the odds-on favorite to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award this season. Over at the FanDuel Sportsbook, the Knicks’ Julius Randle is going off at -340 while the Pistons swingman is still in the running at +350. Grant is deservedly in the mix, thanks to almost doubling his points per game average from last season. The former Nugget is putting up 22.6 a game this season while leading his Detroit team in scoring.
Grant should come in well-rested after being held out last night against the Thunder for maintenance. He’s not on the injury report today, and despite Detroit, in full tank mode, he should get an entire run with many of his teammates playing last night. The 27-year-old had a team-high 28 points when the Pistons came up just short in the upset attempt over the Clippers on Wednesday. He will get rested a ton down the stretch with the Pistons evaluating young talent so take advantage on those nights he plays on the second-legs of back-to-backs, especially against teams like Washington.
It’s been well-chronicled just how bad the Wizards have been on the defensive side of the floor this year. Washington and Sacramento have played shake-n-bake as the two worst defensive teams in the league most of the season. Right now, Washington is the Cal Naughton Jr. to the Kings’ Ricky Bobby, giving up the second-most points in the NBA. The Wizards also allow the seventh-worst opponents’ field goal percentage and give up the third-most points from the line. Grant leads the team in both free-throw attempts and points from the line while sitting 12th in the NBA in foul shots made.
Detroit is a -4 point road dog and is in one of those rare spots where they have a decent chance of winning. The moneyline looks like a play at +140. The FanDuel Sportsbook’s total is high for a Pistons game at 225.5, so expect a higher-scoring affair thanks to Washington’s substandard D.
Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Love vs. Chicago Bulls
The Bet: Over 11.5 Points (-112)
If you were able to snatch up Kevin Love a few weeks ago for a fantasy playoff push, you’d know exactly why he’s on the list today. Take away Love’s dud against the Warriors on Thursday, and the former Timberwolves star had four straight games in double-digit scoring. Love averaged 18 points per game over that stretch with his minutes hanging in the mid-twenties range. Yes, Jarrett Allen was out for two of those games, but Love has still averaged almost 25 minutes in his past two since the starting center’s return. Now he gets to try and continue the trend against a team with a subpar defense and one he’s been successful against recently.
This year’s Bulls have floundered around the top-ten worst defenses all year long. Chicago gives up almost 114 a game and is particularly weak inside. The Bulls have allowed the league’s fifth-most points in the paint at over 50 a night and have the NBA’s second-worst opponents’ field goal percentage from two-point range.
Love hasn’t played the Bulls this year but averaged almost 21 a game against Chicago in four contests last season. While the 33-year-old doesn’t have the inside game he did in his prime, he can still damage the paint and hit the three-ball. A baker’s dozen should be a piece of cake against the Bulls.
Cleveland is a +3 point road dog with a doable +126 moneyline. The total at the FanDuel Sportsbook is lower than most Bulls game at 212.5, thanks to Chicago leading scorer Zach LaVine being out.