NBA player props: top picks for Friday (October 25)

It had a ridiculous 37 percent utilization rate, which would lead to NBA by a mile last year, when its 31 percent utilization rate was the sixth-highest in the country NBA all qualified players.

Last year, the Pacers allowed the most points per game to pick-and-roll (PnR) players, which gave them the second-most points per game due to isolation, and overall, they were cooked by the No. 1-most players players using their opponents’ balls. .

It was just one game, but it looks like heavy hitters will continue to play against the Pacers, just as they did last year when Cade Cunningham scored 28 points against Indiana on Wednesday in the season opener.

Last season, Brunson finished fourth in the PnR rankings NBA as a ball handler, averaging the most field goal attempts in the league and the fourth-most points among PnR.

Brunson performed well last year in these matchups against the Pacers, including the playoffs.

Of the eight games with Indiana in which he played 32 or more minutes, he scored more than 30 points in five. Even in the two games he lost, he had 28 and 29 points, so he was at his level.

In this he will leave.

Jalen Brunson 30+ points (+105): 1 unit

Damian Lillard 8+ assists (+120) FanDuel

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 8:00 p.m. Eastern time

This is the perfect opportunity to buy Lillard’s assists on the cheap after he did a great job as a favorite in the first game this year, and he has a plus matchup against the Bulls tonight.

Lillard only had six assists in the Bucks’ first game this year, but more importantly, he had 18 potential assists. He was one of five players with at least 18 potential assists in the first game of the year and was the only player not to record double-digit assists.

According to NBA.com his adjusted assist count indicated he should have eight assists, which is still a low potential assist-to-assist ratio.

With Khris Middleton out, Lillard should continue to show a high efficiency and pass rate, and he now has a great matchup with a Bulls defense that has deteriorated in the assists department in the first game of the year.

One player who had 18 potential assists early in the season was guard Dejounte Murray of the Pelicans against the Bulls. In this game, Murray had 10 assists, 18 potential assists and a per NBA.com, adjusted assists 13.

To start the year, the Bulls have given up the most points to Farmer of any team, which is perfect for an oft-used PnR guard like Lillard. It was similar last year when the Bulls did a great job with point guard assists, and it looks like that will be the case this year as well.

Damian Lillard 8+ assists (+120): 1 unit

Steph Curry 8+ assists (+155) Caesars

Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz, 9:30 p.m. ET

Curry had a big assist in his first game this year, scoring 10 dimes in just 25 minutes during the Warriors’ 140-104 victory over Portland. He also has a great matchup to do the same against Utah. Last year, the Jazz were a dream opponent for assistant point guards, and that was the case this year for one game.

On Wednesday, we attacked the Jazz with an assistant point guard, and Grizzlies star Ja Morant brought us on the court. According to Morant’s data, he recorded 19 potential assists, 10 actual assists and 12 adjusted assists in this match. NBA.com.

It all depends on the style of defense the Jazz plays, which leads them to give up a ton of assists through catch-and-shoot three-point opportunities, as well as turning over on PnR.

Last year, the Jazz made the fourth-most catch-and-shoot three-pointers (27.4 per game), and in the first game this year they allowed the Grizzlies to make 37, which was the second most of all NBA teams.

Last year, Curry dominated this matchup in terms of assists. He played twice with the Jazz in the 2023-24 season and recorded 10 assists in both games, with 21 potential assists in one game and 14 in the other.

Of course, 21 potentials today would be phenomenal, but even if he only reached 14, that would be great considering his chances of recording at least eight assists.

It makes sense that Curry crushed the Jazz last year, as they gave up the most point guard assists and were also the top opponent in point guard assists.

Curry should spice up today’s Jazz.

Steph Curry 8+ assists (+155): 0.50 units

Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up using the links in this article. Important details can be found in the sports betting operator’s regulations. Sports betting operators have no influence on newsroom coverage.