The Atlanta Hawks are the only team playing Friday yet to win a game in their series. Assuming home-court advantage is the X-factor you need to win against the Miami Heat, or any team for that matter, creates nothing but false hope. All season, the Heat guards have been the single-most effective backcourt in stopping opposing point guard production and limiting backcourt scoring. Trae Young might have been able to put up 25 points in Game 2, but his 16 turnovers though two games tell an entirely different story, where his totals still only equal out to 33 points on 32 shots, with five more turnovers than assists. Kyle Lowry does nothing but strengthen the backbone of Miami's defense, and the dynamic synergy of Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson makes up one of the most versatile four-man guard combinations in the league. They bring scoring, defense, and spacing to the table every night because their roles are reliant on effort, not outright skill. The Heat have players who can score, so focusing on the little things make the important things come effortlessly. Miami has perfected that structure and now that it’s the postseason, their rotational flexibility is proving it’s worth against a team that funnels their offense through specific, easy-to-predict outlets. The Hawks might get that mental boost playing at home, but they all need to be on the same page to keep the Heat defense from restraining them and their offense from smothering them.
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PrizePicks has two types of games. The first type of game is known as Fantasy Score, which consists of selecting various players and trying to determine if they will go over or under their projected fantasy points in a game. The second game is known as Single Stat. For NBA, Single Stat consists of points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, and free throws made, in which you determine if the player in question will go over or under their projected total. You can mix and match players from each type of game in your entry or select all of your plays from the same type of game. Once you have selected your players and props, you can choose the aforementioned flex play or power play option. Today, we will look at some single-stat scores for tonight, March 1.
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Single Stat NBA Totals
Editor's Note: Prize Picks prop totals are not always available first thing in the morning, so check back during the day as other props may be added during the day.
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Jimmy Butler OVER 35.5 Pts-Rebs-Asts – Jimmy Butler is shining in the playoffs just like he always has. He scored 45 points in Game 2 and the Hawks defense was left without much say in the matter outside of Bogdan Bogdanovic making an individual push late in the game. Butler plays a strong role on this team, and sometimes that means letting the stats fall into the hands of other players. During the regular season, that’s usually the case, but playoffs create a different monster in a few players, specifically players with that ability to show up when it matters most. This will be the first away game of the postseason for the Heat and playing on the road actually makes Butler a more lethal option. If Miami gives the Hawks any space, they will capitalize and Bogdanovic has seen to that himself. Expect Butler to leave his statistical mark on this game, just like he has in the first two games of the series.
Mikal Bridges OVER 16.5 Points – This is normally high for Mikal Bridges, but the Devin Booker injury is a devastating blow to the Suns offense, overall ceiling, and ultimately creates a giant gap in where Phoenix’ production will come from. Booker is undoubtedly the Suns most reliant option, and although Chris Paul is one of the best floor generals in history, when he doesn’t have that player that can create his own shot playing across from him, the offense becomes much more pick-and-roll and scheme-oriented. When teams have the time, which they do in the playoffs, to game plan against your strategies and directly combat your plans of attack, your weaknesses need to become your strengths. Meaning, players like Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Payne, and Deandre Ayton will need to willingly play out of their comfort zones. Bridges is now the Suns only reliable wing-shooter, so despite the shots being well-distributed because of Paul’s natural ability, it’s easy to see why Bridges specifically is going to see the most benefit from Booker’s injury
DeMar DeRozan OVER 7.0 Free-Throws Made – The only thing stopping DeMar DeRozan is himself. When he wants to get to his spots he will and the Bucks let him. Not willingly, but when you don’t have the tools you have no choice but to let the man work. Here, if Milwaukee let’s DeRozan try and beat them, he will, because he’s that type of player. He doesn’t need his teammates to hit shots for him and just because he doesn’t shoot from deep doesn’t mean he can’t make them. The projection of 29.5 is clearly inflated from his last game, but his ability to draw fouls in both Games 1 & 2 gives off the sense that his efficiency has no affect on his relentlessness to keep going at the rim. The Bucks don’t have a paint threat and you can guarantee DeRozan will take his chances going at both Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo every chance he can.
Other Recommendations
- Trae Young UNDER 40.5 Pts-Rebs-Asts
- Kyle Lowry OVER 13.5 Points
- Jae Crowder OVER 1.5 Assists
- Jrue Holiday OVER 2.5 Free-Throws Made
Overall recommendation for this play: POWER PLAY
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