Nets vs Magic Props – Best Player Prop Bets for James Harden Debut With Brooklyn
- The Orlando Magic travel to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York to get it on with the Brooklyn Nets at 6:00 PM EST on Saturday, Jan. 16th
- James Harden is scheduled to make his highly anticipated debut with the Nets
- See the best player prop bets for Friday’s game below
Nikola Vucevic and the Orlando Magic will be looking to get back into the win column after dropping four straight. Their season has taken a dramatic turn for the worse due to injuries and Covid-19 complications.
The Brooklyn Nets’ season has been turned upside down as well with the acquisition of three-time scoring champ, James Harden. He is expected his Nets’ debut in this game if the trade is finalized by tipoff.
Orlando had dominated this series winning four straight before Brooklyn took the last meeting 108-96. The Nets are favored by 9.5 points in this matchup and there are plenty of player props to consider.
Since James Harden’s status is still up in the air we can consider props from the Magic’s side of the ball.
Nets vs Magic Player Props and Odds
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Vucevic (Magic) | 20.5 ( Ov -122 / Un +100) | 10.5 ( Ov -102 / Un -120) | 3.5 ( Ov -118 / Un -102) | 2.5 ( Ov +144 / Un -186) |
| Aaron Gordon (Magic) | 16.5 ( Ov -110 / Un -110) | 7.5 ( Ov +116 / Un -142) | 3.5 ( Ov +118 / Un -144) | 1.5 ( Ov +112 / Un -142) |
| Terrence Ross (Magic) | 14.5 ( Ov -116 / Un -106) | 2.5 ( Ov -130 / Un +106) | NA | 2.5 ( Ov +118 / Un -150) |
| Cole Anthony (Magic) | 12.5 ( Ov -126 / Un +104) | 4.5 ( Ov -108 / Un -112) | 3.5 ( Ov -124 / Un +102) | 1.5 ( Ov +150 / Un -194) |
Odds taken Jan. 16th from FanDuel
Nikola Vucevic Is Underrated
One area of consistency for the Magic the past few seasons has been the play of Nikola Vucevic. He is a great example of a modern-day NBA center that can be successful from anywhere on the floor. He has been posting eye-popping numbers for multiple seasons yet it still feels like he doesn’t get the respect he deserves.
Per @Sportradar: During the last three seasons combined (since 2018-19), there are only five players in the #NBA to average 20+ PPG, 10+ RPG and shoot 50+% from the floor:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Anthony Davis
Karl-Anthony Towns
Nikola Jokic@NikolaVucevic #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/UBiAyT6X6Y— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) January 15, 2021
Vucevic has had a high usage rate for a few years now but with the loss of Evan Fournier and Markelle Fultz, it has gone up. He is taking more shots this season than he ever has and his effective field goal rate of .568 is a career best. In a pace up spot such as this one, he could take 24+ shots as he did against Dallas and Milwaukee.
Blowouts are always a concern when teams are short-handed such as the Magic and the score will be a concern tonight. Fortunately, Vucevic has been “blowout” proof in his last four games. The Magic have lost three of their last four games by 20+ points and yet Vucevic is still averaging 23.7 points in 29.5 minutes.
It’s tough to know what the Nets will look like with James Harden on the floor but a position they can be exploited by is the center spot. DeAndre Jordan should play big minutes again tonight and he does not match up well against Vucevic. He is not the type of center that is effective away from the basket and that plays into the hands of Vucevic. If this game stays remotely close, Vucevic could go for 30+ points.
The Pick: Nikola Vucevic Over 20.5 points (-122)
Nikola Is Not a One-Trick Pony
Vucevic is not just a scorer and contributes in multiple categories. On top of being the top scoring option for Orlando, he is also glass cleaner that averages 10+ rebounds per game. He is far and away the main reason the Magic are sixth in the NBA in opponent rebounding percentage. Vucevic will also throw out a couple assists every night.
Nikola Vucevic is having an incredible start to the 2020/21 season. He is shooting 50%FG, 41.8% 3pt, 11 TRB, 3.5AST, while averaging 22.5PPG
He is averaging 6.4 3 point attempts per game. He is 8th in the league for screen assists with 46. In 11 games he has had 9 STL, and 5 BLK
— Stephen Cameron (@StephenMagicHQ) January 13, 2021
Right now at Fanduel, Vucevic is listed at 35.5 points + rebounds + assists which seems low.
In his last four games which were all blowouts, Vucevic is averaging 38.75 points + rebounds + assists. He’s gone over 35.5 in three of the four and has ended with 46 and 47 in two of those games. In tonight’s game against the Nets, we could see the Nets experience growing pains with a new mouth to feed in Harden. If that’s the case and Vucevic can get his full compliment of minutes, he could take out this number in the third quarter.
The Pick: Nikola Vucevic Over 35.5 Pts + Reb + Ast (-113)
John has spent the past 20+ years betting sports on a daily basis and is considered by many to be a walking sports betting encyclopedia. From obscure player props to sides and totals, if there is an angle, John will find it.
