Betsided

Best NBA Prop Bets Today (Third Quarter Warriors Return, Expect Big Game From Tyrese Maxey on Opening Night)

By Peter Dewey, Ben Heisler, Donnavan Smoot, Joe Summers, Reed Wallach

Golden State Warriors guards Jordan Poole and Steph Curry.
Golden State Warriors guards Jordan Poole and Steph Curry. / John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
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Opening night in the NBA calls for the relaunch of BetSided’s “Best NBA Prop Bets,” where we share our favorite prop bet for that day’s NBA slate. 

Last season, the team went 307-257-4 (+11.4177 units) in our NBA prop bets, you can find that full record here. 

Five of our editors have a pick for tonight’s action, including two Joel Embiid props. With the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers all in action, there are plenty of starts to bet on in Tuesday’s slate: 

Best NBA Prop Bets Record to Date

  • NBA Best Prop Bets Record: 0-0 (+0.0 units)

Best NBA Prop Bets Today

  • Joel Embiid OVER 40.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-120)
  • Warriors Third Quarter -2.5 vs. Lakers (+100)
  • Jaylen Brown Over 2.5 3-Pointers Made (+104)
  • Tyrese Maxey OVER 18.5 Points (-111)
  • Joel Embiid 30+ Points (+142)

Joel Embiid OVER 40.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-120)

This number is extremely low for Joel Embiid, even in a season opener, after he averaged 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season. 

Embiid cleared this number twice against Boston in the 2021-22 campaign, scoring over 40 points in one game. The Celtics have major issues defensively in the frontcourt, as the team is without Robert Williams III (knee surgery). 

I think Embiid dominates the paint, especially when Al Horford isn’t in this game. – Peter Dewey

Warriors Third Quarter -2.5 vs. Lakers (+100)

The third quarter was the Warriors' happy place all season long last year, finishing with a +16.7 net rating a season ago, compared to -10.6 on the road for the Lakers.

Golden State's rotation was also locked in defensively in the third a season ago, often playing with a higher sense of urgency. The Warriors led the NBA in third quarter defensive rating, net rating, effective field goal percentage, and also finished top five in offensive rating.

Plenty of books offer alternative lines for this as well, so if you're feeling dangerous, I might consider anything up to -7.5 with very intriguing odds. – Ben Heisler

Jaylen Brown Over 2.5 3-Pointers Made (+104)

Jaylen Brown took a huge step forward throughout last season and into the playoffs. He's become a key part of Boston's offense, and I expect him to continue his development this year.

Over his final 20 regular season games, Brown averaged 23.2 points and 2.8 made 3s per game on 39.1% shooting from beyond the arc. He shot 7.1 treys per contest, while maintaining his high usage and efficiency in the playoffs.

With Joel Embiid's towering presence down low and Philly's relatively weak wing defenders, I expect Brown to get his shots up. He's made at least three 3-point shots in five of his last seven games against the Sixers, so we're getting a tremendous value at +104 odds.

Philadelphia surrendered the seventh-highest opponent field goal percentage on outside shots, giving Boston an angle to attack a stout defense. Back Brown to kick the year off in style with a barrage of 3s. – Joe Summers

Tyrese Maxey OVER 18.5 Points (-111)

Tyrese Maxey is my pick for Most Improved Player this season and I think the campaign gets off to a strong start on opening night. 

The former Kentucky guard is going to get more shots as James Harden's ball dominant style continues to transition into a hyper-facilitator one. Just look at the preseason, when Maxey scored nearly 31 points per 36 minutes on 52/56/92 shooting splits.

Will it be that good all season? Of course not, but can Maxey push 20 points on opening night against a Boston defense that may take a step back defensively without Robert Williams III for the foreseeable future? Of course! – Reed Wallach

Joel Embiid 30+ Points (+142)

Embiid is at the top of the MVP odds list, and tonight will be his first step to getting his first MVP. 

The Celtics are small upfront without Robert Williams and will just have Al Horford out there to defend Embiid. He averaged over 30 points per game last season. With a depleted front line, a super charged offense and a lot of free throws on his way, back Embiid tonight. – Donnavan Smoot

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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