Today's Best NBA Prop Bet Picks & Predictions, Saturday 2/8: Young dishes the rock

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Germantas Kneita

NBA

Like most Lithuanians, I started watching basketball from the age of six. I'm based out in London and played basketball at the University of Lincoln here in the UK. I had always had an interest in the NBA but things really took off in the summer of 2010. That year Linas Kleiza led Lithuania to 3rd place at the World Championships and signed with the Toronto Raptors to replace the departing Chris Bosh. I've been a Raptors fan since that day and I've not missed a game since. I've been handicapping games for more than a decade, specializing in player props. For Germantas Kneita media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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Before the sports world turns its eye to the NFL tomorrow, the NBA brings us a day packed with action on Saturday. With a couple of early tip offs, we will have hours of basketball action ahead of us. These will include nationally televised clashes between the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. You can witness these on ABC and ESPN, respectively.

You can find our previews for those and other NBA games here. But for now, take a look at my favorite player props below.

Trae Young (ATL) Over 10.5 assists (-135)

Trae Young has taken on the Washington Wizards 3 times this season, managing to hit the over on this line twice, recording 13 and 15 assists in those games. This season the teams are 2nd and 4th in pace this season, respectively. This means there will be plenty of possessions to help Young hit the over once more. Over the last 10 games the Wizards are just 23rd in defensive rating, whilst also being 26th in opponent assists per game. During that stretch they are also 26th in opponent fast-break points per game.

With the Wizards being in action last night, Young should look to exploit them in transition here with fatigue playing a factor. He has becoming adept to pushing the ball ahead this season, helping the Hawks become a top 10 team in fast-break points per game. It is one one the ways Young will be able to boost his assist line tonight. He should also have success in breaking down Jordan Poole, which should send help his way — allowing for passing opportunities. As a result, the over would be playable even if the line moves to 11.5.

Karl-Anthony Towns (NY) Under 1.5 made 3-pointers (-105)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns has been taking his game inside the paint more recently. Since November, his 3-point attempts per game have dropped each month and currently sit at just 3.3 per game in February. As a result, he has knocked down 2 or more 3-pointers in just 2 of his last 8 games. He will be up against the Boston Celtics for the second time this season. In the first contest, he only took 2 shots from beyond the arc– making 1 in the process.

Over the last 10 games the Celtics are seventh in the league in opponent 3-point attempts per game, meaning they do a great job of chasing opponents away from the arc. Towns will also have a bulk advantage over both Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. You can expect him to try and use this by being more aggressive in the paint, and to focus less on spacing the floor. I’m backing the under on his 3-point makes as a result.

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