3 Best Player Props for Bucks vs. Nets

A banner will be raised in Milwaukee tonight as the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks take on the Brooklyn Nets in the opening game of the 2021-22 NBA season. 

Kevin Durant and James Harden will be without Kyrie Irving, who is away from the team due to his decision to remain unvaccinated, and they will have their hands full with Giannis Antetokounmpo and company. 

WynnBET Sportsbook has moved the Bucks to a slight one-point favorite and -120 on the moneyline. 

Here are three prop bets I have my eye on in this marquee matchup:

Best Player Props for Bucks vs. Nets

• James Harden OVER 24.5 Points (-130)
• Kevin Durant to Record a Double-Double (+150)
• Jrue Holiday OVER 6.5 Assists (-125)

James Harden OVER 24.5 Points (-130)

If anyone is going to benefit from Irving being out of the lineup it is Harden. He’s an elite scorer that saw his role change a bit in Brooklyn last season, and I think this number is far too low, even if he draws Jrue Holiday for most of the night. 

Let’s not forget Harden put up 24.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game for the Nets last year on a usage rate of 28.4 percent, his lowest since the 2013-14 season. 

To put this in perspective, Caris LeVert had a 31.5 percent usage rate with the Nets last season before he was traded in the Harden deal. LeVert was putting up 18.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game on that usage.

If Harden takes the jump we expect in touches, his numbers should soar this season. 

Kevin Durant to Record a Double-Double (+150)

Durant nearly led the Nets past the Bucks in last year’s playoffs, and he did it with several monster stat lines. 

KD recorded a double-double in five of the seven games against Milwaukee in the postseason, and I think he finds a way to do so again tonight. Durant reaching 10 points is a guarantee, but I think he continues to build on a season where he averaged 7.1 rebounds per game, his highest total since the 2016-17 season.

Jrue Holiday OVER 6.5 Assists (-125)

Holiday is going to have his hands full with Harden defensively, but I think he’s being undervalued as a playmaker in this prop. 

Holiday had seven or more assists in 13 consecutive games to finish up last postseason, and he proved that he can take a step back and create for Giannis and Khris Middleton. I expected this number to be set at 7.5, so I’ll gladly take the -125 juice to get Jrue at just 6.5 dimes.