There are three games tonight that carry serious playoff implications, all consisting of teams that are fighting for either a play-in spot or play-in seeding. First, being the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks, with the latter currently on the outside looking in, but on an impressive four-game-win-streak. The last time these teams met, it turned into a shootout, but when you realize Julius Randle wasn’t playing, it makes a little more sense. The Knicks prefer a slower pace, and even though they’ve lost both games where they successfully did just that, it’s still doubtful they resort to what won their last matchup against the Hornets and stick with their season-long philosophy of slow-pace and defense. So…the streak likely ends here. The second game between the Pelicans and Trail Blazers doesn’t carry nearly as much weight as the first game mentioned, but New Orleans has gone from a team that was considering a lottery, to eyeing their first playoff matchup since 2018. Portland would love to close the gap with the Lakers, but they matchup terribly against Jonas Valanciunas, Brandon Ingram, and C.J. McCollum. The last of the three being the Spurs versus Grizzlies. Not only have the Spurs fought their way into the playoffs and over the Lakers, but after tonight’s game, their only worry for the next two weeks is facing Nikola Jokic. San Antonio is 0-3 in the season series against Memphis, but no Ja Morant means Dejounte Murray’s upside is maximized. The Spurs need to keep winning games and the Grizzlies look to face the Suns on Friday. This is absolutely a game Memphis could let slip without it hurting them in the long run.
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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.
Karl-Anthony Towns OVER 22.5 Points – For his general importance to this team on a nightly basis, his projected Pts+Rebs+Asts sitting at 35.5 seems just as good, but Towns isn’t a strong defender or rebounder compared to his ability to put points on the board. In matchups where teams are lacking size, he’s going to get to the rim and put up those scoring stats, but smaller frontcourt players tend to play more physically and can specifically limit a player’s ability to grab rebounds and impact the game anywhere outside of scoring. Not that Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, or O.G. Anunoby would be much of a threat to Towns’ production anyway.
Devin Booker OVER 4.5 Assists – It’s hard not to appreciate Chris Paul’s impact as a player. In nearly every other case, a generational point guard coming back from injury would cap teammates’ ability to not just produce, but specifically rack up assists. Granted, seeing the 35 points from Booker last game and 14 assists from Paul, the roles are still clearly defined, but basketball is also not a one-way street. Booker taking the offense upon himself does not simply equate to scoring. He works with Paul nearly every step of the way, consistently looking for support, but most of the time not needing it. The Warriors have been on a serious slump since Steph Curry went down with an injury and they shouldn’t post much of a challenge for the surging Suns, but that doesn't mean Booker is taking a backseat this game, and if anything, he's more likely to have another statement game against a withering rival.
Deandre Ayton OVER 27.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts – Not to indulge on Golden State’s struggles, but more favorable bets should be posted later as the day goes on. Draymond Green is off the injury report and that automatically makes the Warriors frontcourt viable, but without the guaranteed offense of Curry, Green cannot afford to exert all his energy on defense if it won’t matter anyway. The Warriors need to score and they don’t currently have a player with consistent playmaking ability outside of Draymond Green and Jordan Poole. Even with both likely to see a ton of usage, they are running into a storm with winds blowing in the opposite direction. The Suns are healthy, playing well, and most importantly, playing defense. Unless Golden State receives some Herculean effort from on of their shooters, the Suns should be able to dominate this game from whatever angle they prefer. Usually that means force-feeding Ayton to the point where no one else on Phoenix really has to do anything.
Other Recommendations –Jordan Poole OVER 3.5 Assists, Mikal Bridges OVER 1.5 Blks+Stls, Klay Thompson OVER 3.5 3-PT Made, Jayson Tatum OVER 27.5 Points
Overall recommendation for this play: POWER PLAY
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