Betsided

NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Russell Westbrook, Killian Hayes, Nuggets-Mavs and More)

By Peter Dewey

Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) flexes.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) flexes. / Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
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What a beautiful primetime slate we have in the NBA on Tuesday night!

LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to stay hot (8-2 in their last 10 games) when they take on James’ hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell in the early action on TNT. 

Then, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks aim to win their third straight game with a West Coast matchup with the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic. 

In between all of that, the Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat face off, and I have a player prop to bet in that game. 

Four picks for three games? Why not! Let’s dive in: 

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

NBA Best Bets Today

  • Killian Hayes OVER 5.5 Assists (-110)
  • Russell Westbrook OVER 23.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-120)
  • Lonnie Walker IV OVER 13.5 Points (-120)
  • Denver Nuggets First Quarter ML (-150) vs. Dallas Mavericks

Killian Hayes OVER 5.5 Assists (-110)

Killian Hayes is really coming into his own with Cade Cunningham out of the lineup for the Detroit Pistons, and he has a value prop against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night. 

Hayes is averaging 6.2 assists per game in his 12 starts since Cunningham went down, clearing 5.5 assists in nine games, including his last five.

The Heat are known for their great defense, but they actually rank 21st in the NBA in opponent assists per game, allowing 26.0 per night. 

Hayes is going to see plenty of minutes as the team’s starting point guard, so I’ll back him to clear this prop line for the sixth straight matchup. 

Russell Westbrook OVER 23.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-120)

I’m all over these value lines we’re getting because of Cleveland’s defense, a team that Russell Westbrook put up 19 points, three rebounds and 10 dimes against earlier this season. 

Russ has cleared 23.5 PRA in 17 of his 21 games this season, averaging 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game. 

With AD playing so well, I think Russ has unlocked a new level in his playmaking, averaging 8.8 assists per game over his last 14 contests. 

Lonnie Walker IV OVER 13.5 Points (-120)

This is a value line for Lonnie Walker IV, who has been around 14.5 and 15.5 for a good amount of the season. 

However, with the Cavs ranking first in the NBA in defensive rating, oddsmakers think the Lakers guard could take a step back tonight. 

Still, the Lakers play at the No. 2 pace in the NBA, which should give plenty of possessions for Walker and company. Walker has gone over 13.5 points in nine of his last 10 games, taking 12.7 shots per game and shooting 52.0 percent from the field. 

Denver Nuggets First Quarter ML (-150) vs. Dallas Mavericks

Denver is No. 2 in the NBA in net rating in the first quarter, and it has the No. 1 offensive rating in the NBA in the first frame this season. 

The Nuggets also have the No. 3 defensive rating in the first quarter, despite having the 26th DRTG for the season in full games. The Mavericks are 16th in defensive rating in first quarters this season. 

At home, I’ll trust Denver here. The Nuggets’ net rating in first quarters at home is +22.7.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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