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LeBron James Player Props, Predictions for Saturday: More of a Distributor Despite Scoring Record Chase?

Brenden Schaeffer

Last Updated: February 4, 2023 5:37 PM EST • 2 min 2 sec read.

LeBron James of the L.A. Lakers dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Feb. 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
LeBron James of the L.A. Lakers dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Feb. 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images via AFP.

With L.A. Lakers forward LeBron James just 63 points from an all-time NBA scoring record, is there reason to believe he might be more of a distributor Saturday in New Orleans? Read on for our top LeBron James player props based on the best NBA odds.

James can score on any given night, but 63 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a big ask for one game. Since season-long trends for the New Orleans Pelicans indicate he may not have as much success in the points column Saturday, does LeBron willingly shift into a distributor role instead?

Here are our best LeBron James player prop picks for Saturday (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Check out our NBA picks and our best NBA betting sites.

LeBron James Player Props for Saturday

  • LeBron James Over 8.5 assists (+110 via DraftKings)⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • LeBron James Under 28.5 (-105 via DraftKings)⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Brandon Ingram +5.5 H2H vs. LeBron James (-120 via DraftKings)⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lakers vs. Pelicans Odds

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LeBron James Player Props

LeBron James Over 8.5 assists (+110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My script for Saturday includes LeBron going out of his way to be a good teammate instead of focusing on scoring. James posted a pair of 11-assist outings across his last four games. Against a Pelicans team that allows an average of 25.1 assists per game, he'll try to top his eight-assist output from his last time facing New Orleans.

FanDuel offers a more attainable line at O/U 7.5 Assists, but the juice on an Over bet is a little extreme at -140. Considering James’ recent distribution tendencies, take a shot at the plus-money odds at DraftKings.

LeBron James Under 28.5 (-105) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Although LeBron put together several robust scoring performances against the Pelicans last season, his only matchup against New Orleans this year resulted in a 20-point game. New Orleans allows just 109.7 points per home game to opponents this season and James cleared this line in only one of his last four appearances.

James isn’t going to push himself to break this record Saturday. If you like the Under, DK is a slightly better option than FD, with odds at -105 compared to -110. If the point total drops to 27.5 for James, this play becomes a three-star recommendation. 

Brandon Ingram +5.5 H2H vs. James (-120) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pelicans small forward Brandon Ingram stepped right back into the rotation after his injury to become a prominent part of New Orleans’ offense. He has a pair of matchups with at least 22 points in his four games since returning. Most recently, Ingram dropped 26 at Dallas.

The Lakers allow 120.6 points per road game to opponents, so Ingram should have ample scoring opportunities. Since we like more of a distributing role than a scoring one for LeBron on Saturday, this H2H prop fits nicely with our script.

LeBron James player prop picks made 2/4/2023 at 4:36 p.m. ET.

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Written By:
Brenden Schaeffer
Since graduating from the University of Missouri in 2016, Brenden Schaeffer has covered the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues hockey as a writer for KMOV in St. Louis. He also co-hosts 'The Big Show' on KTGR radio in Columbia, Missouri. The show airs in afternoon drive, weekdays from 4-6 p.m. Brenden has contributed to SBR since 2021, providing insights on NFL, NCAAF, NCAAB, and the NBA. You can download his daily baseball podcast, B-Schaeff Daily, on Spotify or Apple podcasts, and you can find Brenden across social media @bschaeffer12.