The 2024 NBA Cup carries on with group stage action on Friday, November 22, and the player props market is oozing potential wins with eight games on the schedule and several value plays on the board, including Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson at -102 on a combined rebounds and assists bet.
Here's a deeper look at the Johnson wager, along with two other props to consider for Friday's slate.
Jalen Johnson OVER 14.5 Rebounds + Assists vs. Bulls (-102)
Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls, 8 p.m. ET
Playing the Chicago Bulls at the United Center maximizes Johnson's potential on hitting the OVER on a combined 14.5 rebounds and assists. Chicago ranks fourth from the bottom in opponent's rebounds at 46.8 allowed per game, and dead last in opponent's assists at just under 30 (29.9).
Johnson has reached the UNDER on that number in his last four meetings agains the Bulls, but has gone OVER in four-straight appearances and eight of his last nine, as well. He's tied for the lead on the Hawks in rebounds (10.8) and assists (6.3) across the team's last five games, while also tied for the most minutes played at 36.5 alongside Dyson Daniels.
Chicago has come back down to earth as of late with three losses SU in its last four games, and looks vulnerable for another as Johnson looks to secure another loaded box score.
Brook Lopez OVER 13.5 Points vs. Pacers (-102)
Preview: Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m. ET
The return of Damian Lillard following his three-game absence has ignited something in Brook Lopez's offense, with the 7-footer averaging 24 points while hitting 20 of his 27 total shots and converting just over half of his 3-point attempts in the Milwaukee Bucks' last two games.
It's time to capitalize on Lopez' scoring props while he's on this hot streak, especially against an Indiana Pacers team that's allowing 123.3 points over the last three games and has lost consecutive outings giving up exactly 130 points to both the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets.
Lopez' scoring totals can be very hot and cold, but it's red hot at the moment with three OVERs on 13.5 points in his last four appearances, and they weren't really close to reaching an UNDER either.
Dereck Lively II OVER 1.5 Blocks vs. Nuggets (+114)
Preview: Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets, 10 p.m. ET
A questionable status for reigning Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic could have somewhat of an impact on Dereck Lively II's ability to block shots, but not enough to steer away from the high upside here.
The Denver Nuggets give up the second-most rejections to opponents this season at 6.8. Ideally, should Jokic miss a fourth-straight contest, there would be such a size disparity between Lively II and anyone standing across from him to increase the likelihood of the 20-year-old big man finishing with two or more blocks.
Prior to putting up a goose egg with zero blocks in what was a 41-point beatdown of the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 19, Lively II had totalled 10 blocks in the three games prior at an average of 3.3 per game. Luka Doncic will sit Friday with a wrist injury, and a lack of a pick-and-roll should hinder Lively II's offensive output, but it won't hurt his defense, and that's where the money is here.
