Two future Hall of Famers and an all-star snub headline Friday’s NBA prop bets.
The pregame narrative: Nikola Jokic is on a roll and should clear a modest assist total against the Philadelphia 76ers. Elsewhere, I like Kevin Durant to fill the basket against his old team and Norman Powell to produce.
Check out the best NBA prop bets for Jan. 31.
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Best bet: Jokic over 9.5 assists (-143)
I don’t typically like to pay this much juice but feel this line will only get less profitable as the day goes on.
Jokic is at the peak of his powers and is one of the league’s best facilitators:
- 10.1 APG (second-most in NBA)
- 9+ assists in 12/13 games this month
- 10+ assists in 10/13 games this month
His floor as a passer is sky-high and he draws a solid matchup against Philadelphia. The 76ers allow the eighth-most assists per game (27.2) and Jokic logged 10 helpers against them back on Jan. 21.
He only played 30 minutes and the Denver Nuggets won that game 144-109, so there is a blowout possibility this evening.
But that was in Denver and this is in Philadelphia, so I’m hoping the Sixers (9.5-point underdogs) can keep this somewhat close.
And either way, this line is within reach even with limited minutes.
Key stat: Jokic has 10-plus assists in seven of his last eight games.
Quick picks
Powell over 22.5 points (-105): Powell should be playing in this year’s all-star game.
The veteran guard is averaging a career-best 24.0 PPG with 49.4/43.5/84.6 shooting splits. He’s the main reason the Los Angeles Clippers remained competitive with Kawhi Leonard sidelined and has kept scoring since the Klaw returned.
Powell has scored at least 20 points in eight of nine games with Leonard, clearing this mark five times.
He’s still attempting 16.3 shots per game with Leonard in the lineup (17.0 without), which gives us a solid floor to work with.
The Charlotte Hornets have done well to limit shooting guards this year but Powell is playing with a chip on his shoulder and I expect another strong night.
He’s cleared this mark in four of his last five games.
Durant over 26.5 points (-125): Father Time is undefeated but Durant is giving him the business right now.
The 36-year-old averages 27.3 points per game (fifth-most in the NBA) with a 29.7% usage rate. The latter ranks 18th, ahead of players like Jokic, Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brunson.
He’s playing a ton. He’s shooting a ton. And he’s making a ton — that’s what any overs bettor wants to see.
And now Durant gets to go up against a Golden State Warriors team with the second-worst mid-range defence in the league (46.7 FG% allowed), according to Cleaning the Glass.
KD takes 57% of his shots from that area of the court, which ranks in the 100th percentile of all NBA players.
Picks made at 9:15 a.m. ET on 01/31/2025.
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.