NBA Player Props and Best Bets: Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson & More Picks for Thursday, Feb. 19

The NBA’s week-long All-Star hiatus is over, and the league’s best are back and available to test out my latest batch of player prop picks.

With about 26 games left until the end of the regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are sizable +130 favorites to win the NBA Finals. The Denver Nuggets (+550) and San Antonio Spurs (+1200) are chasing them, followed by the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers, all of whom are at +1300.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP favorite, although he is dealing with an abdominal injury that needs to be re-evaluated and has not suited up since Feb. 3.

After a painful break, here are my best NBA player prop picks and bets for Thursday, Feb. 19.

Best NBA Prop Bets for Thursday, February 19

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Brandon Miller Under 21.5 Points (-130) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Charlotte Hornets were the hottest team in the NBA heading into the All-Star break, and Miller was a huge part of that. However, the worst thing for a young team riding a massive wave of momentum is to be forced to take a week off, which is exactly what just happened.

While the Hornets took down the Rockets when they played exactly two weeks ago, Miller struggled, scoring 11 points on 44.4 percent shooting and committing six turnovers. The Rockets have a great defense and lots of long wings that can make it difficult for the Hornets’ scorers.

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Jalen Brunson Under 27.5 Points (-122) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Detroit Pistons have the best record in the Eastern Conference and are anchored by a terrific defense that includes a balance on the interior and the perimeter. That could spell trouble for Brunson, who went under in both matchups this season and only scored 12 points on 25 percent shooting during their meeting on Feb. 6.

Brunson averaged 31.5 points per game in the Knicks’ playoff series with the Pistons last year, but he was also fairly inefficient, only shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. Ausar Thompson is arguably the best perimeter defender in the league and has done great work when matched up with Brunson, and I expect him to play a major part in determining the outcome of this player prop.

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Victor Wembanyama Under 23.5 Points (-125) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Wemby averaged 24.4 points per game, which is relatively shocking, considering he only played 23, 27, and 29 minutes per game over the last few months. He went over in three of four games heading into the All-Star break, but he was also held to nine points in his only matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 2.

The Spurs have made it clear that they won’t force the French sensation to play minutes that he isn’t ready to handle. Coming out of the All-Star break and time away from the team, I could see him only logging about 27 minutes against a strong defense, which would make it tough for him to go over.

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Derrick White Over 17.5 Points (+100) at FanDuel Sportsbook

White averaged 17.2 points per game for the overachieving Celtics, and he went over in three of four games before the recent break. That’s despite only shooting 37.9 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from three during February.

The Golden State Warriors have been solid on defense, but there’s a level of intensity and attention to detail that’s needed when guarding White, who is liable to shoot from anywhere at a moment’s notice. His high volume and a return to regular efficiency should help him get over.

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Benedict Mathurin Under 15.5 Points (-122) at FanDuel Sportsbook

I am very out on Mathurin’s early prospects with the Los Angeles Clippers. He scored 16 points in his only game in his new threads, but he also did it on 30 percent shooting thanks to an outlier 10 free-throw attempts.

The Clippers are a defense-first team, and Mathuring is behind several players in the offensive pecking order. They’re also facing the Denver Nuggets, who play at a glacial pace and ranked 12th in points allowed per game over their last 15 outings.

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