The NBA slate is a small two-gamer tonight, with both games nationally televised on NBA TV. The Milwaukee Bucks will visit the Indiana Pacers as 2-point favorites, followed by the Orlando Magic hosting the Atlanta Hawks. Both of these games have decent totals, 231 and 243 respectively, so we can hope to see some fun basketball. For news, Damian Lillard is listed as questionable for the Bucks, while Markelle Fultz is questionable for the Magic.
Picking the right projections can be a tough task, but with the help of OddsShopper’s NBA PrizePicks Optimizer and some diligent research, we have you covered. Let’s dive into the best PrizePicks NBA picks and player projections for Thursday.
PrizePicks NBA Player Predictions | Nov. 9
Giannis Antetokounmpo, M/L 54.5 Fantasy Points
Antetokounmpo has been adjusting to playing with Lillard, allowing him to share the alpha role of the team. After averaging more than 54.5 fantasy points per game over the last two seasons, Giannis’ numbers are down across the board through seven games. He is averaging just 24.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, his lowest numbers since 2017.
Antetokounmpo has gone over this number just once in seven games and has only eclipsed the 30-minute mark in four of the seven games. The Bucks played last night, and Giannis recorded 41.3 fantasy points in just 22 minutes before getting ejected for receiving two technical fouls. He will come out strong, motivated and rested after last night. Giannis is in a favorable game environment, with the Bucks and Pacers both in the top 10 in pace and bottom 5 in defensive rating. The Pacers are allowing the second-most fantasy points to power forwards. Giannis averaged 62 fantasy points in three games against the Pacers last season. This spot is a good spot for him , and if for some reason Lillard is ruled out, this pick will jump even higher.
Best PrizePicks NBA Player Prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo More Than 54.5 Fantasy Points
Paolo Banchero M/L 26.5 Points + Assists
The Magic will host the Hawks in the nightcap as 3-point home underdogs. This game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET, which seems strange, so hopefully Banchero is a night owl. Since Wendell Carter Jr. went down, Banchero has led the team with a 27.6% usage rate, and his 31.7% assist rate is second to Fultz (listed questionable for tonight). Although the Magic are a slow team, this is a good spot against the Hawks, who rank third in pace.
Atlanta ranks 23rd in opponent points and assists per game. Banchero is averaging 42.7 passes per game, which leads the team. His 5.6 assists and 8.7 potential assists are slightly behind Fultz for second on the Magic. Banchero is averaging 18.1 points per game and a 50% effective field goal percentage. This is a great spot tonight, and if Fultz sits, the unit size can increase a bit.
Best PrizePicks NBA Player Prediction: Paolo Banchero More Than 26.5 Points + Assists
Jalen Johnson M/L 30.5 Fantasy Points
Johnson has broken out in his second season with the Hawks. He’s gone over this number in four of seven games and is averaging 1.1 fantasy points per minute. However, the Magic are solid defensively and rank in the top 5 against forwards.
With Fultz questionable and Carter out for Orlando, most of the Hawks’ production should go to the guards and centers tonight. The Magic allow just 38.6 fantasy points to the small forward position, which ranks fourth best in the NBA. Saddiq Bey has been getting more minutes lately and even got the start over Johnson against the Wizards. The Magic’s defense and pace should push this one lower.
Best PrizePicks NBA Player Prediction: Jalen Johnson Less Than 30.5 Fantasy Points
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