NBA Player Props for Mar. 5: Best Bets Featuring Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić

Picking winners for NBA games can be challenging. With so many moving parts involved in every game, if you don’t factor something into your decision-making process, that omission could be costly to you in the end. That’s why I am a big fan of betting on NBA player props.

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Of course, players can have off nights, and many things can impact their game, too. But I find it easier to gauge how well a player will play against a particular team than figure out who will win. With that in mind, here’s my list of the Best NBA Player Props for Thursday, Mar. 5.

If you're looking to bet on the NBA, Ballislife has that and all future team and player bets on our website.

NBA Best Bets & Predictions for Thursday, Mar. 5

Dallas Mavericks vs. Orlando Magic

• Wendell Carter Jr. to Record a Double Double: +290 (bet365)

Carter Jr. is averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds over his last seven games, with 10+ points in three of his last four and 10+ rebounds in four of his last seven games. If the Magic are going to stay out of the play-in tournament, they have to win the games they should win, like this one.

Cooper Flagg may return, but Dallas is dealing with so many injuries that at +290, this market is a solid value play for tonight.

Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns

• Devin Booker OVER 2.5 Made Threes: +140 (bet365)
• Devin Booker OVER 6.5 3-Point Attempts: -140 (bet365)

Booker made his long-awaited return the other night against the Kings and hit 4-9 3-point attempts. Teams are making 13.9 threes per game against the Chicago Bulls, whose defensive intensity has waned down the stretch. He’s averaging 2.1 made threes and six attempts per game this season.

But he’ll take as many shots from deep, if not more, and make at least three against a lackluster Bulls defense.

• Josh Giddey OVER 1.5 Made Threes: -130 (bet365)
• Josh Giddey OVER 5.5 3-Point Attempts: -120 (bet365)

Yes, the Suns have one of the best perimeter defenses in the league. They rank third in 3-pointers allowed per game and second in shot percentage. But this number is low for a shooter as capable as Giddey. He went 3-7 against the Thunder, 5-11 against the Bucks, and OVER this total in four of his last six games. As long as he takes 6+ attempts, he’s a solid bet to go OVER this total.

In the 12 games in which he has attempted 6+ threes, he has made at least two threes in seven of those games.

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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

• Nikola Jokić OVER 10.5 Assists: +102 (bet365)
• Nikola Jokić to record a triple-double: -130 (bet365)

Jokić is averaging 10.3 assists per game and has gone over ten in five of his last ten games. Both teams are excellent on the offensive end of the court. But the Lakers have been lacking on the defensive end. They are 22nd in defensive rating and rank No. 2 in opponent assists allowed per game (27.5).

He is too savvy not to take advantage of the opportunities the Lakers' defense will give him. As for whether he’ll record a triple-double, he has done so in 22 of 46 games this season, put up 10+ points in every game, and 10+ rebounds in 34. DeAndre Ayton will not know what to do against him.

Los Angeles Lakers NBA Player Props

• Luka Dončić to record a triple-double: +800 (bet365)

Dončić has recorded six triple-doubles this season, including one against the Nuggets earlier this season, which is why I’m surprised the price is as high as it is. Including Dončić, the Nuggets have allowed opposing players to record 16 triple-doubles this season. It’s a long shot, but it is also a tremendous value play.

• Austin Reaves OVER 19.5 Points: -102 (FanDuel)

Denver is going to be more concerned with containing Luka Dončić and LeBron James to worry too much about Reaves. With Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon out, the Denver defense may be spread a little thin to adequately cover Reaves as well. Reaves is averaging 23.8 points per game this season. But he has gone OVER this TOTAL just once in his last nine games.

However, as the defense collapses down on Dončić, Reaves will be an easy outlet. He should see a lot of open shots in this game, giving him a good chance to go OVER this TOTAL.