Two guards headline Sunday’s NBA prop bets.
The pregame narrative: Russell Westbrook will have an outsized opportunity to produce against the Houston Rockets with Nikola Jokic sidelined — but I’m still fading his lofty PRA total. Elsewhere, back Quentin Grimes and Jalen Duren.
Check out the best NBA prop bets for March 23.
NBA prop bets
Best bet: Westbrook under 29.5 PRA (-118)
Westbrook is averaging 12.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists this season, putting him well below this total.
Obviously, he’ll have more chances to produce without Jokic, which is baked into this higher-than-usual line.
But Westbrook has gone under this mark more often than not without the three-time MVP and draws a nightmare matchup against the Rockets.
- Westbrook is averaging 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists (29.0 PRA) in nine games without Jokic this season. In those contests, he is 4-5 vs. this line.
- Houston allows the eighth-fewest points and fourth-fewest assists to shooting guards per game, according to Fantasy Pros.
The Rockets have the fifth-best defensive rating since the all-star break (12-4 record) and should dictate the pace of this game with Jokic out.
Key stat: Westbrook has gone under this mark in three of his last four games without Jokic.
Best NBA picks
Grimes over 27.5 points (-107): Grimes is on a Linsanity-type run for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The sixth-year journeyman guard was acquired just before the trade deadline and has been the team’s leading scorer in March with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid sidelined:
- 28.2 PPG
- 19.6 FGA/game
- 52.9/40.9/71.0
- 25+ points in 9 of 11 games
Grimes is shooting the ball a ton, which has raised his scoring floor considerably. What makes this even more remarkable is that he was averaging just 10.2 PPG in 47 appearances with the Dallas Mavericks.
Tonight, his 76ers take on an Atlanta Hawks team allowing the third-most PPG to shooting guards.
Duren to record a double-double (-115): Keep an eye on today’s injury report between the New Orleans Pelicans and Detroit Pistons. Zion Williamson and Yves Missi are both listed as questionable, and their possible absences could move this line into unplayable range.
New Orleans is in full tank mode, so I wouldn’t be surprised if both sit out today. But even if the duo plays, I like Duren’s chances of recording a double-double.
The third-year centre is averaging 11.5 points and 10.3 boards this year and has a double-double in seven of 11 games this month.
The Pelicans give up the most rebounds and fifth-most points per game to centres.
NBA prop picks made at 10:10 a.m. ET on 03/23/2025.
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Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.