The NBA prop betting markets are robust for these Thursday evening matchups, and we’ve examined the odds and found the best bets that sportsbooks offer for betting on the NBA in Illinois.
Please join me as I share my best bets for Thursday, December 14.
Thursday Night NBA Best Bets
The NBA offers a seven-game slate, and we’ve found the best prop bets currently offered for tonight’s matchups. As always, please seek the best numbers and the best prices available at the best Illinois sportsbooks before placing any wager.
Nikola Vukevic Under 11.5 rebounds (-110) at DraftKings
The Chicago Bulls travel to Miami, meaning Bulls center Nikola Vucevic has to deal with Heat center Bam Adebayo. Vucevic has snagged 11.5+ caroms in three of his last four, but he plays a Miami side, allowing the fifth-fewest rebounds per game this season.
The Bulls’ center averages 10.5 boards per game, but he won’t hit that number against Adebayo and the Heat tonight.
Jarrett Allen Under 8.5 rebounds +110 at DraftKings
The Cleveland Cavaliers have already ruled out Cavs’ leading rebounder, Evan Mobley. That should mean a big night for Cavs center Jarrett Allen, but maybe not tonight against a Boston Celtics group allowing the third-fewest rebounds per game when at TD Garden.
Allen averages 8.01 caroms per night in the visitors’ jersey and will have difficulties clearing his prop number tonight.
Kristaps Porzingis Under 20.5 points +105 at DraftKings
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis scored 21 points when the teams last met on Tuesday night, but he won’t repeat that feat tonight. The Boston big man was just 5-16 from the field against the Cavs but knocked down 2-6 three-point attempts and 9-9 from the charity stripe.
Porzingis has cleared this prop number in consecutive games and three of his last five, but he’s scored 21+ on consecutive nights twice this season, and I expect a better defensive effort from Cleveland tonight.
Dereck Lively Over 8.5 points -120 at DraftKings
Our last play of the day is Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II Over 8.5 points. The Mavs rookie has eclipsed this mark in four of his last five and is coming off an eight-point outing at home Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lively averages 30 minutes per night over his last five, and the Rookie of the Year candidate boasts a 73% true shooting percentage. Lively is also averaging 14.4 points per 40 minutes, 9.3 ppg at home, and should see plenty of action tonight in what should be a closely contested matchup.
