NBA Player Props Today: Best Bets & Predictions for Thursday (10/26)

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What kind of performances can we expect on Thursday from LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris? Follow along as our NBA betting expert, Nick Galaida, breaks down three of his favorite NBA prop bets for today — Thursday, October 26, 2023. Get all of Nick’s picks, including more NBA player props, at ScoresandOdds.

Thursday’s NBA slate features only two games, but there are no shortage of stars in action, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant each taking the floor for their respective teams. Philadelphia and Milwaukee are set to tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, with a 10:00 p.m. ET tip-off for the nightcap between the Suns and Lakers.

Below, we take a look at three player prop leans worth considering for October 26, 2023!

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NBA Player Props Today – Thursday, October 26

James Over/Under 19.5 Points

Much has been made in recent days about LeBron James playing reduced minutes this upcoming season. However, this is not new news for anyone who was paying attention during the offseason. The Lakers met with James following last year’s playoffs to put together a plan for this upcoming season and head coach Darvin Ham has been very open and candid with the media about easing his star player into action this year. Still, this market number feels like a gross overreaction to opening night. James averaged 37.2 minutes per game two years ago and 35.5 minutes per game last year. It is much more reasonable to expect him to average 31-32 minutes per game this season, assuming he stays healthy – not 29 minutes, which is what we saw against the Nuggets. James averaged 28.9 points per game last year and had 21 points in the team’s season opener, despite it being the first game of the season and playing in Denver’s mile-high altitude. James had 19 points in only 22 minutes during his final preseason tune-up. This is a worthwhile risk on Thursday for a player who is in great shape and has no reported physical ailments entering play tonight.

Maxey Over/Under 4.5 Assists

Per CourtIQ, Tyrese Maxey averaged 5.7 assists per 36 minutes of action last year during the regular season with James Harden not on the floor. In 13 games played without Harden, Maxey recorded at least five assists 10 times. The Milwaukee Bucks were a tough matchup defensively last year, allowing the 5th-fewest opponent assists per game of any team in the NBA. Still, this is an obtainable market number for Maxey, who should see a significant increase in usage with Philadelphia’s primary facilitator not playing.

Harris Over/Under Than 14.5 Points

According to CourtIQ, Tobias Harris averaged 19.5 points per 36 minutes of action last season when James Harden was off of the floor. Per StatMuse, Harris has eclipsed this market number in 15 of his last 20 games played without Harden. During the preseason, Harris appeared to be in good form, averaging 12.8 points per game, despite never playing more than 29 minutes. Assuming he gets 32 minutes or more time on the court on Thursday evening, he is more than capable of getting the job done here.

Check out DFS sites with Fantasy basketball pick’em like Betr Picks.

NBA 2023-2024 Results – Wager Type

Points: 3-2
Rebounds: 1-0
Assists: 0-0
Points + Rebounds + Assists: 0-2
Rebounds + Assists: 1-0
Three-Pointers Made: 1-1
Field Goals Attempted: 1-0

Combined Record: 7-5

Image Credit: Getty Images

About the Author

nickgalaida
Nick Galaida (nickgalaida)

A failed high school pitcher, Nick Galaida discovered that he has a higher aptitude for analyzing and writing about sports than he does playing them. To his friends, he is better known as “The Commish.” When he’s not organizing a fantasy league, placing a bet, or writing an article, he’s probably nose-deep in a book—further illustrating the point that his niche in this world is as a nerd rather than an athlete. Follow Nick on Twitter – @CommishFilmRoom