Here, we'll focus on utilizing daily fantasy basketball projections and a slew of other tools to help make money betting player props. For this article, we are focusing on the NBA odds at FanDuel Sportsbook to pinpoint spots where value can be had tonight.
The prop-betting experience on FanDuel Sportsbook is getting even more fun. You can track your player props with real-time updates and place live in-game props with ease.
Please note that betting lines and our daily projections may change throughout the day after this article is published.
D'Angelo Russell Under 20.5 Points, Rebonds and Assists (-128)
The Los Angeles Lakers found something in the second half of Game 1 when they put Rui Hachimura on Nikola Jokic and moved Anthony Davis into a free-safety role. They'll surely do some of that tonight -- LA may even start off that way and move Rui into the first five -- and a possible knock-on effect could be less run for D'Angelo Russell.
I think Russell is more likely to be negatively impacted than Dennis Schroder due to Schroder's defensive ability, which will be needed against Jamal Murray. We saw this play out in Game 1 as Russell (26 minutes) played fewer minutes than both Hachimura (28) and Schroder (32). In all, D-Lo had a brutal game, totaling just eight points, three boards and no assists.
I like the under on Russell's points, rebounds and assists prop even if he ends up starting again, so I'm firing away now. But I also think there's a good chance D-Lo comes off the bench, and this line could drop a bit if news breaks that Russell is moving out of the starting lineup.
Bruce Brown Jr. Over 0.5 Made Threes (-120)
If LA keeps putting Rui on Jokic, it might end up playing Aaron Gordon off the floor, which could make Bruce Brown Jr. a huge piece in this series.
With Hachimura on Jokic, AD can play his free-safety role because he doesn't have to respect Gordon's perimeter game. Denver can find ways to keep Gordon on the court -- likely using him as a free screener -- but if that's not working, they may have to bench Gordon in favor of Brown or Jeff Green.
Even in his normal role, Brown has been a key player for Denver in these playoffs, logging at least 23 minutes in all but one game. He's made a triple in three straight games, and most encouraging of all, he's taken nine total threes in that span.
I think Brown sees a lot of run tonight, and I like him to sink at least one three-ball.