The NBA schedule for Friday, February features three of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference in action as well as a battle for seeding in one Western Conference tilt. With just one week before the NBA All-Star game, many teams are winding down before taking an extended break to celebrate the game’s best players.
Bettors looking to score some easy wins wagering on those players have found the right place. In yesterday’s picks, this author went 3-2, pushing our winning percentage to 58% on NBA player prop bets this season. We will continue that winning streak as we pick the top four NBA player prop bets for Friday, February 9 below.
Jabari Smith Jr OVER 1.5 3-Point Field Goals Made (+116) (BetRivers)
In his second season, Houston PF Jabari Smith Jr. is coming into his own after the Rockets made him the third overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Smith has improved his accuracy from the floor while collecting more rebounds this season for his team. The Rockets have improved their win total already above the 2022-23 season with more than 30 games left to play.
In the Rockets’ recent win over Toronto, the Raptors allowed Smith to knock down a pair of three-pointers, finishing with 11 points overall. Smith has finished with at least two made three-pointers in four of the previous six games. Expect the former Auburn standout to do the same again Friday as Houston makes the return trip to Toronto to face the Raptors.
Giannis Antetokounmpo UNDER 54.5 Pts + Reb + Ast (-115) (Bet365)
Despite having a team contending for the Eastern Conference’s top spot, Milwaukee fired their head coach in January and replaced him with veteran coach Doc Rivers. In the seven games since that announcement, Milwaukee is a paltry 2-5 in those contests and is currently on a three-game losing streak.
Since Doc Rivers took over the team, Antetokounmpo has been a one-man show for the Bucks. The PF has boasted strong numbers, but only twice in that seven-game stretch did Antetokounmpo go for more than 52 combined rebounds, assists, and points. Against Charlotte Friday, expect the Greek Freak to again be held under that 52.5 combination mark.
Jordan Poole UNDER 14.5 Points (-120) (Bet365)
The second-worst team in the NBA this season is the Washington Wizards. With a 9-41 record, the Wizards are giving up the second-most points this season while allowing teams to shoot almost 50% against this from the floor. Among the many disappointments this season for Washington is Jordan Poole, a shooting guard that joined the team in 2023.
Poole has averaged 15.9 points while shooting 40% from the floor, numbers that dipped below his averages from 2022-23. Friday night the Wizards play at Boston, a rematch from early in the year. In that game Poole was held to just 11 points as the Celtics beat Washington 126-107.
Do not expect Poole to perform better in this contest, unfortunately. In fact, Poole is currently in a shooting slump – hitting under 29% of his shots – and has scored over 14 points in just one of his four previous contests. The Celtics force that trend to continue for Poole and the Wizards Friday night.
Nikola Jokic OVER 12.5 Rebounds (-104) (Caesars)
Denver again looks to be the class of the NBA, thanks to the Nuggets C Nikola Jokic. The Serbian ranks among the top 12 in the league in field goal percentage, assists, rebounds and points, setting him up for another run at the NBA’s MVP award this season.
Jokic had recorded double-figure rebounds in 11 straight games before Sunday’s eight-rebound performance snapped that streak. In last night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Jokic notched 13 boards along with his 24 points to lead his team to a 114-106 victory.
Friday, Denver travels to Sacramento to face the Kings. In the two teams’ earlier matchup, Jokic grabbed 13 rebounds in his team’s 123-117 defeat. Expect both Jokic to notch at least that many rebounds Friday for his team while also leading the Nuggets to a victory.
