This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over 22.5 points (-105) vs. Rockets -- DraftKings, 4:40 PM CT
Josh Giddey is out, so OKC should rely on SGA to generate more buckets. With Giddey off the court this season (plus Favors, Muscala and Kenrich Williams -- who are also out), Gilgeous-Alexander is taking 21.9 field goal attempts per 36 minutes. The matchup is extremely favorable as well.
Nick Whalen
Aaron Gordon OVER 22.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120) -- DraftKings Sportsbook, 2:30PM CT
Can't say I expected to be recommending an Aaron Gordon prop this season, but that's the current state of the Denver Nuggets, who continue to lose rotation pieces at an alarming rate. Gordon and Will Barton have essentially served as the co-No. 2 options behind Nikola Jokic, and they'll be asked to do even more with PJ Dozier, Bones Hyland and Austin Rivers all out, in addition to Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray. In what's quietly been a nice bounceback season for Gordon, he's gone over this number in four of his last five games, and he gets a good matchup tonight against the Magic. I'm typically not a big narrative guy when it comes to betting props, but the revenge game aspect is also there, should you choose to buy in.