Germantas Kneita
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The second night of the NBA play-ins brings the first win-or-go-home games of the postseason. In the first game the Atlanta Hawks will be welcoming the Charlotte Hornets. With the season series tied between them, it looks to be anyone’s game. Later on, the San Antonio Spurs will pay a visit to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans. The visitors lead the season series 3-1 but will have to try to overcome a passionate home crowd. It should make for an intriguing night of basketball.
You can find all of our NBA coverage here. You’ll probably also want to check out our first basket best bets when you hear we cashed both of them last night for a +5500 double!
But for now, check out my favorite player prop selections below.
Dejounte Murray to record a triple double (+370)
Dejounte Murray of the Spurs has been putting up great numbers against the Pelicans this season. Through 4 appearances he is averaging 18.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 10 assists. It has allowed him to record 2 triple doubles against this opponent already, and he finished 3 rebounds short in another instance. With the importance of tonight’s game, look for him to see a bump in his minutes too, which should lead to more production. On the season the Pelicans have been 3rd in offensive rebounds per game, so look for Murray to play a major role helping out on the glass. If he delivers in that category, this bet has a great chance of hitting.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans
Mason Plumlee over 6.5 rebounds (-112)
Mason Plumlee of the Charlotte Hornets has had success rebounding against the Atlanta Hawks this season. He is averaging 7.7 boards through 3 games against them, managing double-digit rebounds in each of the last 2 games. There is no doubt that Clint Capela of the Hawks can be a handful on the glass and Plumlee should play a large role in slowing him down. After all, Capela is 5th in offensive rebounds per night among players to have played at least 10 games. However, his lack of shooting ability should allow the Hornets center to stay in and around the paint for much of the night. That should help him hit this over.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Charlotte Hornets vs Atlanta Hawks
Jonas Valanciunas over 2.5 assists (-115)
Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 3.5 assists per game against the Spurs this season. Those 4 games have been no fluke for the center, as he is putting up the best assist numbers of his career this season. Before the last 3 games of the regular season, in which he did not see more than 22 minutes of action, the Lithuanian was on a great passing streak. He had recorded 3 or more assists in 8 of 10 games and with a bump in playing time tonight, he should be able to deliver something similar. He has a great understanding with CJ McCollum and the pair should be able to cause damage on give-and-go plays on the perimeter. With cutters such as Herbert Jones on the floor too, there should be no shortage of targets for the center.
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