Vaughn Dalzell breaks down his three favorite player props plus a game pick on Kings at Lakers.

Jimmy Butler O/U 17.5 points at Hornets

Jimmy Butler opened the season with three points on 1-for-8 shooting and two free throw attempts. Miami lost 116-97 and he played 26 minutes. This was as disappointing as can be.

Jimmy Buckets should rest up though as he faces the Hornets! Butler has scored at least 15 points in 17 consecutive games against Charlotte and has scored more than 18 points in 14 of those 17 games. This is a quality opponent that Butler needs to torment and get to the free throw line.

The Hornets have allowed 58 free throw attempts through two games, and that’s the easiest way for Butler to get his shot down. I played Butler Over 17.5 points at odds of -111. The best line I could find was on FanDuel. I expect Butler to score more than 20 points (+135).

Choose: Jimmy Butler over 17.5 points (1.5u)

Cade Cunningham O/U 36.5 PRA vs. Celtics

Cade Cunningham had a great performance last night in Cleveland with 33 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Cunningham is playing for the first time in a row this season and let’s not forget that he missed 20 games last year due to injury and 72 games the year before.

Plus, Detroit plays Boston! The Celtics were a tank through two games. Plus, there’s a good chance Cunningham won’t play many minutes in the fourth quarter after posting 41 and 43 PRA against the Pacers and Cavaliers, respectively.

Cunningham totaled 27 and 46 PRA in two meetings with the Celtics last year. The 46 PRA came in OT with 43 minutes played, and this was Detroit’s NBA-record 28th straight loss, so something was on the line.

I picked Cunningham under 36.5 PRA at -118 odds on FanDuel and would also play under 35.5 PRA for 1.5 units.

Choose: Cade Cunningham under 36.5 PRA (1.5u)

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Josh Giddey O/U 12.5 points vs. Thunder

Betting on the Chicago Bulls has already been a mystery this season, but I like Josh Giddey to be aggressive and motivated against his former team.

Lonzo Ball returned to the Bulls but missed last night’s game and Zach LaVine missed 57 games last season, so both players could either be sidelined or limited, leaving Giddey room to eat up. Giddey, 22, had 17 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds in a win over the Bucks last night.

Giddey averaged 25.1 minutes and 24.6 minutes non-stop for Oklahoma City last year. He played 30 and 24 minutes in two games with Chicago, and aside from the team’s great shooting last night, I believe the Bulls limited Giddey to 24 minutes in order to utilize him better tonight.

I played Giddey Over 12.5 Points at -105 odds at BetMGM and would go up to 13.5 for +100 or better. For other shops, the “Over 12.5 Points” value is downgraded to -120 or -135.

Choose: Josh Giddey over 12.5 points (1u)

Kings at Lakers (-2): O/U 232.5

The Kings have a slight residual advantage here, which could be enough to knock the 2-0 Lakers out of the undefeated rankings.

Los Angeles was 7-13 ATS (35%) and 10-10 in ML (50%) when they were at a disadvantage at rest, and even worse at 9-14 ML the year before (9-13-1 ATS ). Sacramento posted a 14-7-1 ATS (66.7%) with a residual advantage last season, which was the third-best mark in the NBA.

Anthony Davis has been great for the Lakers so far (35.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG), but someone else has to step in here and 39-year-old LeBron James on the second night of back-to-back games isn’t likely to be the second option in Game 3 of the Season.

The line has shifted slightly towards the Kings and I will agree with that as the Lakers continue to disappoint at this point while the Kings are outstanding. Give me Sacramento +1 (-110) or spread the ML to +100.

Choose: Kings +1 (1u)

Season record: 11-5 (68.7%) +6.65 u

Sprinkles

Jimmy Butler First basket (+550) and more than 20 points (+145)

Jimmy Butler has his worst points performance since 2021. If he gets the first basket, he could fire up the Hornets with well over 20 points.

Josh Giddey First Basketball (+1300)

Revenge on his former home team after a trade. The price is nice. FanDuel odds.

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