Vaughn Dalzell breaks down his three favorite player props, plus a game pick in Kings at Lakers.

Jimmy Butler O/U 17.5 points at Hornets

Jimmy Butler opened the season with three points on 1-for-8 shooting and two free throw attempts. Miami lost 116-97 and he played 26 minutes. That was as disappointing as it gets.

However, Jimmy Buckets should bounce back as he faces the Hornets! Butler has scored at least 15 points in 17 straight games against Charlotte and more than 18 points in 14 of those 17 games. This is a good opponent for Butler to torment and get to the free throw line.

The Hornets have allowed 58 free throw attempts through two games and that’s the easiest way for Butler to get his shot going. I played Butler Over 17.5 points with odds of -111. The best line I could find was on FanDuel. I expect Butler to go for 20+ points (+135).

Choose: Jimmy Butler More than 17.5 points (1.5 hours)

Cade Cunningham O/U 36.5 PRA vs. Celtics

Cade Cunningham had a great performance last night with 33 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in Cleveland. Cunningham is playing his first back-to-back of the season and we have to remember that he missed 20 games last year and 72 games the year before due to injuries.

Plus, Detroit is playing Boston! The Celtics have been a tank for two games. Plus, there’s a good chance Cunningham won’t play many minutes in the fourth quarter after posting 41 and 43 PRA against the Pacers and Cavaliers.

Cunningham had a total of 27 and 46 PRA in two meetings with the Celtics last year. The 46 PRA attempt came in OT after 43 minutes played, and that was Detroit’s NBA-record 28th straight loss, so there was something on the line.

I took Cunningham Under 36.5 PRA at -118 odds on FanDuel and also played Under 35.5 PRA for 1.5 units.

Choose: Cade Cunningham Under 36.5 PRA (1.5h)

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Josh Giddey O/U 12.5 points vs. Thunder

Betting on the Chicago Bulls has already started off as a mystery this season, but I like Josh Giddey to be aggressive and motivated against his former team.

Lonzo Ball returned to the Bulls but missed last night’s game and Zach LaVine missed 57 games last season, so both players could be out or limited, leaving room for Giddey to eat up. The 22-year-old Giddey had 17 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds in a win over the Bucks last night.

Giddey averaged 25.1 minutes for Oklahoma City last year and 24.6 minutes without rest. He has played 30 and 24 minutes in two games with Chicago and aside from the team’s great shooting last night, I believe the Bulls limited Giddey to 24 minutes to increase his usage tonight.

I played Giddey Over 12.5 Points at -105 odds on BetMGM and would go to 13.5 for +100 or better. The More than 12.5 Points is reduced to -120 or -135 at other stores.

Choose: Josh Giddey Over 12.5 points (1h)

Kings at Lakers (-2): O/U 232.5

The Kings have a slight halftime advantage here, which could be enough to knock the 2-0 Lakers out of the undefeated ranks.

Los Angeles was 7-13 ATS (35%) and 10-10 ML (50%) when they were at a rest disadvantage and an even worse 9-14 ML the year before (9-13-1 ATS). Sacramento went 14-7-1 ATS (66.7%) with a halftime advantage last season, which was the third-best mark in the NBA.

Anthony Davis has been great for the Lakers so far (35.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG), but someone else will have to step up here and get 39-year-old LeBron James on the second night of a back-to-back isn’t that. likely the secondary option in the third game of the season.

The line is moving slightly toward the Kings and I’m going with that because the Lakers consistently disappoint in this spot while the Kings excel. Give me Sacramento +1 (-110) or spread the ML at +100.

Choose: Kings +1 (1h)

Season record: 11-5 (68.7%) +6.65h

Sprinkles

Jimmy Butler First Basket (+550) and 20-plus points (+145)

Jimmy Butler is coming off his lowest scoring performance since 2021. He could torch the Hornets for much more than 20 points if he gets the first bucket.

Josh Giddey First Basketball (+1300)

Revenge on his former team back home after he was traded. The price is nice. FanDuel Odds.

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