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The NBA’s 2019-20 season is still three months away but the NBA betting has begun. The odds for the next champions, conference winners, division winners, MVP, Rookie of the Year and the likes have been out already in the last couple of months so I’m sure you’ve already placed your bets by now.
But those aren’t the only prop and futures bets for the NBA right now. Betmaker Betonline.ag has also published prop bets for players points per game scoring average next season. Interested? Well, here they are:
Kyrie Irving
- Over 22.5 -115
- Under 22.5 -115
The Nets lost D’Angelo Russell during the Kevin Durant trade and Russell averaged 21.1 points per game last season. With Durant still on sickbay this season, Kyrie Irving has huge scoring shoes to fill. Likewise, the Nets lost DeMarre Carroll, Allen Crabbe, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson during the summer. These three players averaged a combined 29.60 points per game. DeAndre Jordan can score, that’s for sure but there is no doubt that Kyrie Irving is going to carry a huge scoring load this coming season. Irving has averaged at least 23.8 points per game in the last three seasons and that 23.8 PPG scoring average came last year when he was supposed to be struggling. Imagine what a “free” Kyrie Irving can do? He played with LeBron and Kevin Love in Cleveland. He had Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Jalen Brown and Gordon Hayward to share the load in Boston. Brooklyn doesn’t have players of that caliber. Kyrie could be this year’s scoring champion. Mark my words. Prediction: Over 22.5, EASILY!
Anthony Davis
- Over 26.5 -115
- Under 26.5 -115
Anthony Davis joined the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. Los Angeles traded Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart to make that happen. That’s a total loss of 36.0 points per game when you talk about 2018-19 scoring average. Sure, LeBron is there and so is Kyle Kuzma I have no doubt, AD will be the focal point of their offense. Davis averaged over 28 points per game during the 2017 and 2018 season. He still averaged 25.9 points per game last season when his minutes were restricted after he demanded a trade. The Brow is a legit 30-point scorer if he wants to. However, there are too many things he does on the floor. With the Lakers, LeBron is expected to take the backseat because he wants to preserve his aging body for a deep playoff run. DeMarcus Cousins is also expected to have a big season but no question, AD is scoring over 26.5 points per game for the Lakers in 2019-20. Prediction: Over 26.5
Jimmy Butler
- Over 20.5 -115
- Under 20.5 -115
Josh Richardson was traded for Butler and Richardson averaged 16.6 points per game and was the Heat’s leading scorer last season. Also gone is Dwyane Wade who averaged 15.0 points per game last season. Then Hassan Whiteside is also no longer there. The big fella averaged 12.3 points per game. Add that up and you have a total of 43.9 points per game lost so there’s plenty of points opportunity available in Miami next season. The only other prime scorer in Miami is Goran Dragic but with Butler assuming the leadership role, I expect him to take the bulk of the offensive load. Sure, Butler only averaged 18.3 points per game last season but remember that he had to share the limelight with Joel Embiid, J.J. Redick and Ben Simmons. With only Dragic and Justise Winslow as his “competition” in the scoring department in Miami, I think Jimmy Butler will return to being Jimmy Buckets. This is a guy who averaged at least 20.9 points per game in four out of the last five seasons. He can turn on that switch and become the scorer once again because he needs to do so next season. Prediction: Over 20.5
Brandon Ingram
- Over 16.5 -115
- Under 16.5 -115
Brandon Ingram is coming over to a Pelicans team which lost Anthony Davis and his 25.9 points per game last season. But remember that Zion Williamson is coming in and the much-hyped rookie is expected to be the Pelicans’ top player. I think Williamson is going to score around 18 points per game (plus the rebounds and blocks) but because New Orleans has capable 20-point scorers in Jrue Holiday and J.J. Redick, I’m not sure if Ingram puts up 16.5 points per game next season. He may be a small forward but something tells me he will have to adjust to having a top shooting and high scoring backcourt in Holiday and Redick. I’ll have to say under. Prediction: Under 16.5
Lonzo Ball
- Over 11 -125
- Under 11 -105
Lonzo Ball averaged only 9.9 points per game with the Lakers and that team wasn’t even loaded with ball-dominant players like Zion and Randle. Lonzo is a pass-first guy and I see him developing into a Rajon Rondo type of player who dominates games with his passing and court vision rather than scoring. Also, I haven’t forgotten about how awful his shot looked last season and I’m not sure one summer is going to make him a better shooter at the NBA level. When you talk about playmaking and passing, I really love Lonzo Ball. But when it comes to scoring double digits on a team with Zion, Holiday, Redick and Ingram ( maybe even Josh Hart) I think he won’t get too many shots on a regular basis so I would have to say under. Prediction: Under 11
Ja Morant
- Over 17.5 -115
- Under 17.5 -115
Ja Morant takes over from Mike Conley in the Memphis backcourt. Morant is an explosive guard who is also a terrific scorer. Morant averaged 12.7 points per game during his freshman season but exploded into an unstoppable scorer during his second year at Murray State. Morant averaged 24.5 points per game last season to become the first player in NCAA history to average 20 points and 10 assists in a single season. He scored 17 points in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament and 28 in the second round which saw them get knocked off. He’s a scorer and while size may appear to be a problem, Morant is so offensively gifted that I think he can score 20 points per game next season. Prediction: Over 17.5
R.J. Barrett
- Over 16.5 -115
- Under 16.5 -115
R.J. Barrett gets a good chance to prove he can be an alpha in New York. Barrett played second fiddle to Zion Williamson at Duke but showed that he could still score despite having a high profile teammate. He averaged 22.5 points per game as a freshman and I think he is only starting to realize how good he is offensive. However, this is the NBA game and I think at 19, he may take a year or two to adjust to the NBA game. I like R.J. Barrett but I think Dennis Smith Jr., Julius Randle, and Kevin Knox get the scoring load. Prediction: Under 16.5
Darius Garland
- Over 14.5 -115
- Under 14.5 -115
Darius Garland averaged 16.2 points per game in his only season at Vanderbilt and that season lasted just 5 games because of injury. Well, he’s healthy now and that’s why Cleveland picked him at #5 because of his scoring ability. At 6-2 and 175 pounds though, he seems undersized for the NBA but I’m not underestimating him or his size. With Kevin Love, Collin Sexton, the improving Cedi Osman and the returning Jordan Clarkson, 14.5 points per game may be too much to ask from this rookie guard. Prediction: Under 14.5
