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Best NBA prop bets today for Bulls vs. Nets (Fade Ben Simmons)

By Peter Dewey

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brooklyn Nets are in shambles right now after trading away Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.

That’s led to an explosion of scoring by Cam Thomas (three straight 40-point games), but does that continue?

The Chicago Bulls are coming off a tough loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, and they could be down DeMar DeRozan (hip, questionable) in this game. The prop market is a little tougher with so many moving parts for Brooklyn, but here are my favorite plays for this matchup:

Bulls vs. Nets best NBA prop bets

  • Royce O’Neale OVER 1.5 3-Pointers Made
  • Ben Simmons UNDER 7.5 Points
  • Nikola Vucevic OVER 12.5 Rebounds

Royce O’Neale OVER 1.5 3-Pointers Made

Royce O’Neale remains in Brooklyn, for now, following the mass exodus at the deadline.

O’Neale has been a solid shooter for the Nets all season, shooting over 40.0 percent from beyond the arc on 5.6 attempts per game.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see his usage increase a bit on Thursday with Brooklyn lacking scoring options because of all of the trades.

Ben Simmons UNDER 7.5 Points

Ben Simmons is the only one who remains from the Durant-Irving-Simmons trio, but there’s no way I’m backing him to take on a bigger scoring load in this game.

Simmons has been complacent all season long, averaging just 7.2 points on 5.8 shots per game. He’s failed to clear 7.5 points in 11 of his last 13 games.

Spencer Dinwiddie and Cam Thomas are going to run this offense, not Simmons. Feel free to fade him on Thursday.

Nikola Vucevic OVER 12.5 Rebounds

Nic Claxton is a beast to deal with on the low block, but Nikola Vucevic should be able to clean up the glass on Thursday night.

The Nets rank dead last in the NBA in rebounding percentage this season, and Vuc is averaging 11.3 boards per game on the season, clearing this line in three of his last six matchups.

The Bulls big man has been on a tear since the start of the new year, picking up double-digit rebounds in 16 of his 18 games and averaging 13.1 per game.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.