Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the best NBA PrizePicks plays. 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 Wednesday, including Lauri Markkanen.
There is a big 14-game slate tonight, with two game totals over 241, the new-look Clippers visiting Brooklyn and potentially Bradley Beal’s season debut with the Suns (he’s questionable). Zion Williamson has been ruled out for the Pelicans, who are already without C.J. McCollum, and there is a long list of starters who are questionable — a normal Wednesday in the NBA. Let’s get to the picks!
PrizePicks NBA Player Predictions | Nov. 8
P.J. Washington, M/L 18.5 Points
P.J. Washington is definitely not the biggest name on the slate or even his own team, but he’s in prime position to get more than 18.5 points today. The Hornets and the Wizards are both top 4 in pace and 30th and 27th, respectively, in defensive rating. There is a reason this game has a total of 240.5. The Hornets are 2-point home favorites in this one, so we can hope for a competitive game throughout.
They rank 22nd in points allowed to forwards and have allowed a league-worst 51.8 field goal percentage to the position. Washington scored 20 or more in three of the Hornets’ six games. What’s even more notable is that starting guard Terry Rozier is out tonight. With Rozier off the court, Washington’s usage rate jumps from 20% to 25.6%, and he has taken the second-most shots, behind LaMelo Ball. Barring a horrific shooting night, Washington will go for 20 points in a great game environment.
Best PrizePicks NBA Player Prediction: P.J. Washington More Than 18.5 Points
Gordon Hayward M/L 10 Rebounds + Assists
If you’ve read this column before, you know I love stacking high total games for flex plays on PrizePicks. Gordon Hayward is the second Hornet on the list. Rozier is out, and Hayward plays well in his absence. In 11 games last season, Hayward averaged nine rebounds + assists, and in Charlotte’s last game he racked up 12.
On the season he’s averaging 5.3 assists and 8.8 potential assists and 6.8 rebounds on 9.4 rebound chances. That is 12.1 rebounds + assists on the season, higher than the target, and this is a great game environment to produce lots of rebound and assists opportunities. With Rozier off the court, Hayward’s assist percentage jumps from 21.8% to 31.5%.
Best PrizePicks NBA Player Prediction: Gordon Hayward More Than 10 Rebounds + Assists
Lauri Markkanen M/L 24 Points
The Utah Jazz visit the Indiana Pacers in the highest game total of the night at 241. Both of these teams are bottom 5 in points allowed and are top 10 in pace. The Pacers rank 26th in defensive rating and are allowing the second-most points to forwards.
Markkanen leads the Jazz in both usage rate (25.2%) and minutes per game (32.8). He is shooting 43.6% from 3 on 9.8 attempts, second only to Stephen Curry among players with eight or more attempts per game. The Pacers allow the fourth-highest 3-point percentage at 39.2%. Markkanen is averaging 24 points per game.
Best PrizePicks NBA Player Prediction: Lauri Markkanen More Than 24 Points
Two-pick power plays and five-pick flex plays have the most expected value. If you’re looking for more picks, check out our PrizePicks Optimizer.
