Zion Williamson headlines Friday's NBA prop bets.
The pregame narrative: I expect the big man to feast as the New Orleans Pelicans take on an injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks squad. Elsewhere, fade De'Aaron Fox and back Darius Garland.
Check out how I'm betting on them in the best NBA prop bets for Feb. 21.
Best NBA prop bets
Best bet: Williamson over 36.5 PRA (-113)
This is shaping up to be a monster night for Zion.
The Mavericks, who are missing Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, are slated to start 6-foot-6 P.J. Washington at centre, according to RotoWire.
It's also worth noting that New Orleans' standout rookie centre, Yves Missi, is questionable with a knee injury.
Williamson is averaging 24.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists (36.8 PRA), which puts him right in line with this total.
He should be able to feast on the glass and score at will against a team missing all of its size and defensive prowess.
The Mavericks have struggled to contain power forwards to begin with this season, and are ceding the ninth-most points and 11th-most rebounds per game to that position, according to Fantasy Pros.
Key stat: Williamson has cleared this line in eight of his last 10 games while averaging 38.8 PRA.
Quick picks
Fox under 25.5 points (-125): Fox is a solid scorer and will have to take the reins in San Antonio with Victor Wembanyama out for the season. With that said, I believe this is a prime fade spot.
- Fox is 3-12 against this line in his last 15 games (2-4 since joining SAS).
- He narrowly cleared this mark with 26 points last night but has struggled on back-to-backs this season, averaging 22.2 points on 41.9% shooting (nine-game sample).
The Spurs are playing a Detroit Pistons squad allowing the ninth-fewest PPG to opposing shooting guards, per Fantasy Pros. All signs are pointing to a dud.
Garland over 2.5 threes (-136): You know who's not fazed by back-to-backs? Garland. Cleveland's point guard is averaging 24.6 PPG while shooting 50.9% on zero rest this season (nine-game sample).
He's cleared this mark in four of his last five back-to-backs and 11 of his last 15 games overall.
Garland was a member of this year's 3-point contest and is about as dangerous as it gets from deep, canning 3.0 threes per game on 42.9% shooting.
And tonight, he gets to play a New York Knicks team with the worst 3-point defence in the NBA.
Picks made at 9:59 a.m. ET on 02/21/2025.
