Best NBA Player Prop Bets for May 8th
We’ve got seven games on tap for the second-last Saturday in the NBA’s regular season. The Wizards and Pacers start the night at 7:00 p.m. ET in what could be a play-in preview. Four games kick off at 10:00, with the Nets visiting the Nuggets the game to see. It’s the second-last day for many weekly fantasy league championship finals, so good luck to those vying for a title.
But don’t stop your fantasy fix there. Also, check out FanDuel to put a team together as every game becomes that much more critical.
Following a 2-0 Thursday night thanks to Pascal Siakam and Trae Young, we’re up to 72-59 on the season looking to finish strong.
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 FanDuel Sportsbook has you covered with the most up-to-date and top odds in the industry.
Washington Wizards Russell Westbrook vs. Indiana Pacers
The Bet: Over 51.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists (-120)
In a rematch of one of the wildest games in recent memory, we’re banking on something of a repeat performance.
The Pacers and Wizards meet again, five days after combing for 295 points in a 154-141 Washington home-court win. The stage shifts to Indiana between these two teams separated by just a half-game as they battle it out for the final two play-in spots in the east. Indiana has the ninth seed while the Wiz are hanging on to ten.
Russell Westbrook was a massive factor in Monday’s win over Indiana with yet another triple-double to lead the NBA with 34 on the season. Westbrook, who has already locked up a triple-double average for the season, put up 14 points, a career-tying 24 assists, and personal best 21 rebounds.
He followed that performance with triple-doubles against Milwaukee and the Raptors and will tie Oscar Robertson for the most in NBA history if he can pull out another against the Pacers on Saturday. Seeing as Westbrook is averaging 24.5 points, 17.5 rebounds, and 22.5 assists against Indiana this season, it’s looking good.
The Pacers have been one of the worst defenses in the league in the second half of the season. Indiana has given up the fourth-most points and assists in the league since the All-Star break while allowing the most rebounds in the NBA. The Pacers have also allowed the most paint points in the league this season, a place where Westbrook had all five of his field goals in Monday’s meeting.
The Wizards are -3.5 point road dogs with a -158 moneyline, so this game should stay close. The FanDuel Sportsbook’s total is one of the highest of the season at 248 points, so expect another shootout between these two teams that are big on offense and little on defense.
Indiana Pacers Domantas Sabonis vs. Washington Wizards
The Bet: Over 36.5 Points+Rebounds (-113)
While the Wizards have Mr. Triple-Double, Domantas Sabonis is Indiana’s Mr. Double-Double. Sabonis set the franchise record for consecutive double-doubles earlier this season and is seventh in the league in that category. Sabonis’ 43 is still a ways behind Westbrook’s 54 on the year, but Domantas has played three fewer games this season.
The Pacers’ big man is averaging 20.3 points and 11.8 rebounds to go along with a career-best 6.3 assists on the season. Sabonis went well above those numbers in Monday’s shootout in Washington.
The 25-year-old celebrated his birthday in the nation’s capital in style, putting up 32 points and a team-high 19 rebounds. Sabonis finished one assist shy of joining Westbook in the triple-double club.
It was Sabonis’ second double-double against the Wizards this season after he dropped 35 points and pulled down 11 boards in Washington on March 29. Domantas is coming in hot off another 30-point performance in a win over the Hawks on Thursday.
The Wizards are one slot behind Indiana in points allowed since the All-Star break giving up 117.8 per game to the Pacers 118.1. Washington still holds the distinction of allowing the most points per game on the season though at 118.5. They’ve also given up the seventh-most rebounds on the year at 45.9 per game.
Indiana is a -3.5 point home dog with a +134 moneyline that’s worth a look. The total at the FanDuel Sportsbook is the chunky 248 points already mentioned, with all signs pointing to a big over.