March 16th NBA Props – Best Player Prop Bets for Tuesday Games

• Seven NBA games are scheduled for Tuesday, March 16th
• LeBron James, Damian Lillard and many other stars are in action
• Which player props represent the best betting value? See the available bets below

The NBA schedule on March 16th features seven games and an array of intriguing player props. LeBron James and the Lakers take on Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves. CJ McCollum is in line for his return from injury as the Blazers battle with Zion Williamson’s New Orleans Pelicans.

The headline game of the night, though, is the earliest tip-off. Favored by 4.5 points, the Utah Jazz are looking to bounce back from a surprise Sunday loss to the Golden State Warriors as they take on the Boston Celtics.

March 16th NBA Player Props

Odds taken on Mar 16 from FanDuel

Cleveland Can’t Stop Butler

Sure, Jimmy Butler averages 21.4 points per game for the season, but that hardly paints a fair picture. Butler is over 23 per game for his last 10 outings, and up at 28.3 over the last five games. The 21.5 points line seems incredibly low given his recent production. The former Sixer has scored 22 or more in his last six games.

The Heat were 6-12 when Jimmy Butler returned from Covid. They were 22nd in defensive rating.

They have since gone 15-6 and have had the league’s 2nd best defense. They are now 4th in the East.

Jimmy has averaged 23 PPG, 8 RPG, 9 APG, 2 SPG in that span. pic.twitter.com/Dol8w5Q9eH

— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 15, 2021

If that’s not enough, Butler has the added benefit of facing one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers rank 23rd in defense on the season, which flatters them thanks to a strong start. They’re down in 26th over the last 10 games. Cleveland has given up 110 or more in 21 of their 38 games this season.

Butler’s recent performances have pushed Miami up the standings and seen him edge his way into the MVP conversation. The Heat own the sixth-best net rating over the last 10, and perhaps that’s the greatest concern for this prop. Miami has gone 9-1 over that stretch, and facing a Cleveland team which lost by 18 to Atlanta last time out, Butler might not play in the fourth quarter.

Jimmy Butler in 3 games since All-Star break:
Vs. Magic: 27 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 steals.
Vs. Bulls: 28 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 4 steals.
Vs. Magic: 29 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 5 steals.
All in wins…and NBA decides no Players of Week for shortened week.

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) March 15, 2021

Given his recent numbers, and Cleveland’s inability to defend, though, it’s still worth a wager on Butler to hit over 21.5 points. He could easily get this in three quarters even if it’s a blowout in Miami’s favor.

• Pick: Jimmy Butler over 21.5 points (-118)

Simmons Does It All

Season averages of 16, eight and eight take Ben Simmons to 32. His points, rebounds and assists line is set at 34.5.

While that may seem aggressive in a slow-paced game against the New York Knicks, the absence of Joel Embiid is a considerable factor here. It’s no secret that Simmons’ role grows in Embiid’s absence. Not so long ago, Simmons scored a career-high 42 with nine boards and 12 assists against the Jazz without Embiid.

Ben Simmons on the recent comments calling him overrated on the Washington broadcast. "He's like a 5'5 commentator for the Wizards, I can't give it too much attention."

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) March 15, 2021

The Sixers blew out the Spurs on Sunday even with Embiid unavailable. Simmons’ numbers were limited by playing just 26 minutes, but it’s unlikely to be such a short outing for the former Rookie of the Year on Tuesday. These Knicks will make the Sixers work for it. Simmons could reach the 40-minute mark as he did in the games with Utah and Cleveland before the break. That’s a lot of opportunities to rack up points, rebounds and assists.

“He’s so elite already, who gives a damn if he can’t shoot.”

– Gregg Popovich on Ben Simmons

(via @APgelston) pic.twitter.com/jrc0sFrWWm

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 14, 2021

Simmons has a usage rate four percent higher when he’s on the court without Embiid compared to when they share the floor. His assist rate also soars from the low-thirties up to just shy of 40%. He takes 12.2 field goal attempts per 36 minutes with Embiid off the court compared to 11.1 with the All-Star center on the court. He gets to the line considerably more, too.

This game should be close enough for Simmons to play well over 30 minutes. He could get most of the way to 34.5 in points.

• Pick: Ben Simmons over 34.5 points, rebounds and assists (-106)