Skip to content

NBA opening night best bets, player props: Clippers-Lakers will go under

Icon Sportswire / Getty

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.

The NBA is back.

All 22 teams in Orlando will play eight games each before the playoffs begin Thursday. For the first time in almost five months, here are the best bets and player props for Thursday's two-game slate.

Best bets

Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans (-2.5, 221.5)

It's been all Pelicans money so far.

They opened as short -1 favorites and were almost immediately pushed to -2 through the early stages of the betting cycle. New Orleans, which is still 3 1/2 games out of the postseason, has seen a flood of money and is all the way to -2.5 a day out from the return. Considering the circumstances, it's an appropriate move.

Bojan Bogdanovic's absence for the Jazz really sets back the offense. The guard was No. 19 in the NBA in 3-point attempts per game and No. 13 in percentage. A unit that takes 37.5% of its shots from beyond the arc will suffer without the Croatian sharpshooter.

The Jazz and Pelicans are trending in opposite directions. Utah has performed one-game worse than its record while New Orleans has been two games better. Though they're generating a ton of love from the public, the Pelicans could realistically close as 3- or 3.5-point favorites. Lay the chalk here.

Pick: Pelicans -2.5

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-4, 216.5)

Bettors are flocking to the Lakers and under for Thursday's headliner. The spread and total originally opened at -1 and 218, respectively, but have both experienced huge moves.

The injury report is currently a mess. On the Clippers' side, Montrezl Harrell is out and Landry Shamet and Ivica Zubac are questionable. For the Lakers, star big man Anthony Davis is nursing an eye injury.

Both squads will be dangerous when they're back to full strength. But in the first game back with so many important pieces missing, there will likely be sloppy play. The rivals will go under the total for the fourth straight time this season.

Pick: Under 216.5

Player props

Donovan Mitchell over 2.5 made 3-pointers

There isn't a better player prop on the board.

You can guarantee that Mitchell's volume from beyond the arc will skyrocket in Bogdanovic's absence. He's second on the team in attempts (6.8) and makes (2.5) per game, behind only his Croatian teammate.

The Pelicans have defended the three this season (35.5% allowed) better than last (36.4%), but they're still below average, ranking No. 17 in the league. Utah's already locked down a playoff spot, so expect a relaxed style of play and a bunch of triples from the third-year Jazz guard.

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox