Take two of the NBA In-Season Tournament group play is on! Some western conference superstars in Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should dominate in plus-matchups, while rookies Dereck Lively and Ausar Thompson should be a presence on the defensive end tonight.
G Anthony Edwards (MIN) OVER 37.5 PTS+REB+AST
With San Antonio allowing the most PPG and highest 3PT% this season, Anthony Edwards is the best bet of the night to have a so-called “field day”.
In seven games, Edwards has strung together five 26+ point games, five 6+ assist games, and four 5+ rebound games.
Facing the Spurs who are allowing buckets from all angles with undisciplined defense, this could be yet another Anthony Edwards statement game.
G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) OVER 11.5 REB+AST
Another western conference superstar, Shai has been dominant to start this season, OKC winning five of seven contests when he plays.
He’s hit this “over” mark in all but one game and will face a fast-paced Sacramento offense in an In-Season Tournament contest that should net over 230 combined points.
With Holmgren due to struggle defending Sabonis, weak side help should give Shai the rebounds for this bet.
F Harrison Barnes (SAC) OVER 1.5 3PT MADE
Sticking with this contest, OKC allows 13 3PM per contest. With Harrison Barnes playing over 31 minutes per game, this is a perfect matchup for high volume 3 point shooting.
Harrison has hit this over in 4 of 7 contests thus far and with Keegan Murray’s minutes diminishing, expect Mike Brown to utilize his veteran in a huge early season matchup for Sacramento, who sits at 3-4.
G Marcus Smart (MEM) UNDER 1.5 3PM
A massive fan of the Celtics trading Smart away, we are fading him with his new team, the unwatchable Memphis Grizzlies.
Memphis is 1-7 to start the year with Smart shooting under 30% from downtown.
With Smart serving more as a primary playmaker in this contest, expect a low scoring bloodbath between these two bottom feeders.
C Dereck Lively II (DAL) OVER 6.0 REB
Lively has been… pretty lively for the Dallas Mavericks, who were looking for a big man to fill a void all summer long.
When playing over 30 minutes, he’s hit the 10 rebound mark every contest.
With the Clippers allowing a 3rd-worst 12.3 offensive rebounds per game, bet on Lively to make his mark on the glass against a smaller Clippers front that should shoot their way into yet another loss.
F Ausar Thompson (DET) OVER 1.5 STL (1.25x)
Ausar Thompson is unlike any rookie we have ever seen. An uber-athletic talent, he fills up the stat sheet in any way possible and can positively affect a ball game without taking a shot.
Thompson, the 5th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, had four steals in back-to-back matchups with the Suns and Warriors earlier this week while being a force on defense.
With Philly allowing 8.3 SPG in their last three, due to the new-look offense, expect Thompson to be active against the smaller 6ers guards.
