Oct. 20 NBA Player Props for Bucks vs Sixers, Clippers vs Lakers
- There are two blockbuster NBA games on Thursday night with Bucks vs Sixers and Clippers vs Lakers
- Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.5) has the highest over/under points total
- Read below for today’s NBA player props and picks (Thursday, October, 20)
Two Eastern Conference powerhouses duel on Thursday night with the Philadelphia 76ers hosting the Milwaukee Bucks. Joel Embiid, James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday are all in action, while Khris Middleton remains sidelined.
That game is followed by the Los Angeles Clippers beginning their 2022-23 season against the Lakers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis put up big numbers in the Lakers’ loss to the Warriors on Tuesday night, but Russell Westbrook suffered a hamstring injury, which he blamed on coming off the bench in preseason.
NBA Player Props – October 20th
| Bucks vs 76ers | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) | 30.5 (O -120 | U -106) | 11.5 (O -115 | U -111) | 6.5 (O +124 | U -158) | 0.5 (O -196 | U +152) |
| Jrue Holiday (MIL) | 19.5 (O -115 | U -111) | 4.5 (O -111 | U -115) | 6.5 (O -113 | U -113) | 1.5 (O -180 | U +140) |
| Brook Lopez (MIL) | 11.5 (O -108 | U -118) | 4.5 (O -140 | U +110) | OFF | 1.5 (O +140 | U -180) |
| Joel Embiid (PHI) | 27.5 (O -104 | U -122) | 11.5 (O -113 | U -113) | 3.5 (O -120 | U -106) | 1.5 (O +140 | U -180) |
| James Harden (PHI) | 22.5 (O -122 | U -104) | 6.5 (O +116 | U -148) | 9.5 (O -106 | U -120) | 2.5 (O -125 | U -102) |
| Tyrese Maxey (PHI) | 18.5 (O -113 | U -113) | 2.5 (O -125 | U -102) | 3.5 (O +118 | U -150) | 2.5 (O +120 | U -154) |
| Clippers vs Lakers | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
| Kawhi Leonard (LAC) | 22.5 (O -115 | U -111) | 6.5 (O +100 | U -128) | 4.5 (O +116 | U -148) | 1.5 (O -136 | U +106) |
| Paul George (LAC) | 22.5 (O -122 | U -104) | 7.5 (O +104 | U -132) | 4.5 (O +108 | U -138) | 2.5 (O -118 | U -108) |
| Ivica Zubac (LAC) | 8.5 (O -120 | U -104) | 8.5 (O -115 | U -111) | OFF | OFF |
| LeBron James (LAL) | 28.5 (O -120 | U -106) | 8.5 (O -118 | U -108) | 6.5 (O +108 | U -138) | 2.5 (O -174 | U +136) |
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | 24.5 (O -115 | U -111) | 9.5 (O +104 | U -132) | 2.5 (O -108 | U -118) | 0.5 (O -148 | U +116) |
| Russell Westbrook (LAL) | 15.5 (O -104 | U -122) | 6.5 (O -140 | U +110) | 5.5 (O +120 | U -154) | 0.5 (O -210 | U +162) |
Odds as of October 20th at FanDuel Sportsbook. Claim the FanDuel Sportsbook Promo Code.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has the highest points over/under for Thursday night at 30.5. The Greek Freak is also tied with Joel Embiid (11.5) for the highest rebounds line. James Harden has the highest assists over/under (9.5).
Pick #1: Ivica Zubac Over 8.5 Points
The Clippers have a roster designed to play small, and Ty Lue loves playing without a traditional big. Ivica Zubac still has a big role to play this season, however, and particularly so against a Lakers team which has size in Anthony Davis and a couple of other centers.
There is uncertainty about what the Clippers’ rotation will be, but Zubac’s place is relatively secure. The Clips need his rebounding against the Lakers, and there is no clear competition for the five spot. He will get considerable minutes in this matchup, which the Clippers are favored by four in.
ZUBAC RIPS DOWN THE LEFTY SLAM
*The dime by John Wall 👀* pic.twitter.com/WKKevbZZzY
— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2022
Zubac reached double figures scoring in his final six games of last season, and he went well past this line in two of three against the Lakers. He has often been a problem for his former team, which should continue on Thursday with the Lakers forced to pay close attention to the Clippers’ perimeter players. Zubac is a candidate for a bucket load of putbacks and easy finishes at the rim.
This line seems very low, particularly after the Lakers’ poor showing in the first game.
Pick: Ivica Zubac over 8.5 points (-120)
Pick #2: Jrue Holiday Over 6.5 Assists
Jrue Holiday averaged 7.4 assists after the All-Star break last season, passing this line in 14 of his last 18 regular season outings. With Khris Middleton out, Holiday takes on a greater ball-handling responsibility than usual. The former Pelican ranked in the 84th percentile in efficiency as a pick-and-roll ball handler, and that will be a staple for the Bucks on Thursday night as a means to attack Philly’s weak perimeter defense. Milwaukee needs Holiday at its best if they are to cover as 3.5-point underdogs.
That Jrue ➡️ Giannis connection. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BxZDdKwaea
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 12, 2022
Holiday’s playmaking is overlooked at times due to his superb defense and superstar teammates. He actually had more potential assists per game than LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant and LeBron James in 2021-22. The two-man game with Giannis Antetokounmpo is close to unstoppable, and if the Sixers send extra bodies, Holiday has the vision to pick out open shooters.
Recording seven or more assists in 38 of 66 regular season appearances last season does not tell the full story either.
No better test for James Harden right off the bat than Marcus Smart and Jrue Holiday in his first two games
— ً (@_itsnotmatt) October 18, 2022
Milwaukee moves the ball much better with Holiday, with 2.78 more assists per 100 possessions with the former Sixer on the floor. With the Sixers struggling defensively against the Celtics, Milwaukee’s offense should enjoy some success in this one, and Holiday will be the orchestrator.
Pick: Jrue Holiday over 6.5 assists (-113)
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Sam Cox is a freelance writer and sports junkie, who has spent the past several years immersed in the online gaming industry. He has worked with 888sport, Oddschecker, and Colossus Bets to name a few. Based in the UK, Sam also runs Franchise Sports with his brother.
