The NBA rings in the final weekend of the regular season in a big way. Tonight’s slate features all 30 teams in action – in one form or another.
Basketball bettors are going to miss days like this when the playoffs limit us to a handful of matchups and a barren odds board. For now, let’s make the most of a monster night in the Association.
With motivations mixed across the NBA, I’m going to stick to teams with something to play for Friday. Here are my best NBA prop picks and predictions for April 10.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Onyeka Okongwu |
Over 7.5 rebounds | +105 |
 Mikal Bridges |
Over 12.5 points | -110 |
 Paolo Banchero |
Over 22.5 points | -110 |
Prop #1: Onyeka Okongwu Over 7.5 rebounds
The Atlanta Hawks are still trying to secure their spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, with the No. 5 seed within reach. A loss at Cleveland Wednesday was a set back but Atlanta gets another crack at the Cavs Friday.
With Cleveland pretty much parked in the No. 4 spot, the Cavaliers are sitting some starters, including center Jarrett Allen. That opens up the interior and has me looking to Onyeka Okongwu’s rebounding total.
Okongwu finished with only five boards Wednesday as both teams shot better than 47% from the field. The second of two straight matchups will see that shooting success dip, especially with key players out for Cleveland. That will prompt more rebounding chances.
What’s more, the Cavaliers opted to guard Okongwu with James Harden at times Wednesday and without Allen patrolling the paint, the Hawks 6-foot-10 forward can hit the offensive glass against smaller checks.
He’s averaged 7.5 rebounds on 12.8 rebounding chances over the past 23 games and grabbed eight or more rebounds in three of his last five games (two games with seven). Player projections range from 8.0 to 10+ boards tonight.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Prop #2: Mikal Bridges Over 12.5 points
Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, I’m never betting on Mikal Bridges again.
The New York Knicks small forward looked like he was going to make good on my Over 12.5 points prop bet for him against Boston last night. He started the game with a quick seven points and sat with 10 points early into the second half.
That’s where he would finish. Ouch.
New York is back in action tonight against Toronto with the Knicks trying to hold on to the No. 3 spot in the East. And I’m back on Bridges to top this same point total.
Bridges shot well before opting not to (he dished out six assists), finishing 4 for 4 with two triples last night. He’s hitting at a 53% clip over his last eight outings, putting up 13 or more points in six of those contests. Bridges has played well versus Toronto, scoring 11, 14, 15, and 30 points in four meetings this season.
Tonight’s projections paint the same picture they did yesterday, with Bridges forecasted for at least 14 points. I’ll bite. Again.
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBC, MSG, TSN, Peacock
Prop #3: Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Just a couple weeks ago, Paolo Banchero was the hottest scorer in the land. The Orlando Magic small forward has cooled considerably since the start of April, putting up more than 20 points only twice in his last five games.
Luckily for him and the Magic, the Bulls are on deck Friday night. Orlando is fighting to get out of the Play-In Tournament, sitting half a game out of the No. 6 seed cutoff with two contests to go.
Chicago is one of the worst defenses and rolls out a patchwork rotation that is missing a ton of size inside. The 6-foot-10 Banchero can get to the rim for easy buckets against a Bulls interior allowing more than 58 points in the paint over the last 10 outings.
Scoring forecasts all sit north of this 22.5 O/U with most models at 24+ points Friday. Banchero has scored 24 and 31 points in his past two meetings with Chicago.
FYI: I also don’t hate his Over 8.5 rebounds (+100) with projections flirting with nine rebounds. Chicago is playing the second night of back-to-back games and lost center Guerschon Yabusele to an injury last night.
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Chicago Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Florida, WESH
These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.
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