Top Expert NBA Prop Picks for Saturday

Saturday's NBA schedule features a number of marquee matchups. Our betting experts weigh in with their team and player prop bets.

Here's a look at the top NBA team and player props for Saturday's eight-game slate from our team of betting experts.

NBA Team Prop Picks

Indiana Pacers Under 109.5 points (-115) - Junior Browne

Minnesota Timberwolves Over 118.5 points (-110) - Kenny Ducey

Atlanta Hawks Over 115.5 points (-110) - Ian Wharton

NBA Player Prop Picks

Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 28.5 points (-110) - Browne

Tim Hardaway Jr. Under 16.5 points (-110) - Ducey

Jerami Grant Over 20.5 points (-120) - Wharton

SEE ALSO: Mavericks vs. Raptors picks

Top Expert Team Prop Picks

Pacers Under 109.5 points (-115) - Browne

The Pacers are averaging 128 points per game through two games. That stat is a little misleading, not only because of the small sample size, but also the way the games have played out. Their last game against the Washington Wizards, in particular, had an inflated score due to overtime and the Pacers shooting the lights out. The Wizards have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA for a few years and that doesn’t seem to have changed. The Pacers are playing at the 14th slowest pace in the league. The Miami Heat will definitely bring a much stronger defensive effort than Indiana faced in its first two contests.

Timberwolves Over 118.5 points (-110) - Ducey

The New Orleans Pelicans are a bad team. Through two games, they sit 28th in defensive rating while allowing 122.2 points per 100 possessions, and are down in 25th in rebounding rate. While this team certainly underachieved in 2020, it at least was able to lay claim to one of the most physical frontcourts in basketball. The Pelicans were one of the best rebounding teams, led by C Steven Adams and PF Zion Williamson, and made life very difficult for even the most talented centers. Well, Adams is now gone, and Williamson is recovering from an injury. Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns should go off. Behind a strong performance from their leader, the Timberwolves should run up the score and back up their strong 118.3 offensive rating in their opener.

Hawks Over 115.5 points (-110) - Wharton

Two young teams with explosive offenses face-off as Atlanta and the Cleveland Cavaliers battle Saturday night. The Hawks dominated a solid Dallas Mavericks squad 113-87 in their opener. The Cavs lost both of their opening games by 11 points each. Cleveland showed an improved offense in its two losses, but the defense and rebounding have been terrible despite some talented personnel. This game is also Part 2 of a back-to-back for Cleveland, meaning PF Kevin Love, the team's best rebounder and passing big man, may not play. This all bodes extremely well for the Hawks. The biggest threat for Atlanta to not go Over is that it may replicate its success against Dallas. Being able to sit starters in the fourth quarter could jeopardize this team prop, but I like the Hawks' chances enough to overlook this. 

Top Expert Player Prop Picks

Antetokounmpo Over 28.5 points (-110) - Browne

Antetokounmpo is a mismatch against most teams in the NBA. That said, the San Antonio Spurs do not have a single player on the roster that comes close to being able to stop the man known as the Greek Freak. Add to that the fact Antetokounmpo and his Bucks teammates were given a thorough beat down by the Miami Heat in their last game, in which Giannis was held to 15 points. Expect him to bounce back in a big way against the Spurs.

Hardaway Jr. Under 16.5 points (-110) - Ducey

Sometimes, you throw out early-season results with such a small sample size. Sometimes, though, you read into what you've seen in just one game. That's the case with Hardaway, who had a usage rate of just 17.7 percent in the Mavericks' season-opening blowout loss to the Hawks. While he scored 14 points in that game, his minutes were limited a bit with some new players to work into the rotation and the usage would indicate he won't come close to touching 17 points Saturday. When you consider the Mavericks are working under a new coach, too, you have to consider the possibility head coach Jason Kidd just might not trust Hardaway, diminishing his role.

Grant Over 20.5 points (-120) - Wharton

This is a strange line to see for Grant. The Pistons' leading scorer is playing one of the worst defenses in the NBA, and a team with notable abhorrent wing defenders. Yet, this line is several points below the 24 points he scored in the season opener. No. 1 overall pick PG Cade Cunningham (ankle) is again out for this game. The Chicago Bulls beat the Pistons 94-88 in the season opener, and Grant still hit 24 points. Unless Bulls Gs Zach LaVine or DeMarr DeRozan suddenly slip on defense, Grant will again get up 20-plus shots.

Picks made 10/23/2021 at noon ET.