Tuesday NBA Opening Night player props picks: Nikola Jokic, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry props

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The NBA returns Tuesday with its usual star-packed Opening Night doubleheader, featuring Lakers-Nuggets and Suns-Warriors Western Conference clashes.

NJ.com has two potentially profitable player prop bets for each game to consider. You can also check out our best NBA betting sites before you sign up and take advantage of the sportsbook’s welcome bonus.

NBA player props: How to bet on Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant player prop oddsNikola Jokic prop odds: Over 38.5 points + rebounds (-105 or better)

Jokic dominated the Lakers during the Western Conference Finals four-game sweep just a few months ago, averaging 27.8 points and 14.5 rebounds during the short-lived series.

During the regular season, he also had a trio of double-doubles against L.A. that saw him total 36, 37, and 44 points + rebounds.

The Lakers ranked 20th in rebounds per game allowed (52.6) during the 2022-23 regular season and 24th in that metric against centers specifically (14.9 RPG) when factoring in the postseason. The Nuggets also surrendered a modest 45.8 percent shooting percentage at home last season, setting up plenty of defensive rebounding opportunities.

Denver has a robust projected team total of 117 points as of Tuesday morning, lending credence to the notion conditions could be suitable for another prolific night from a well-rested Jokic.

LeBron James player props odds: Over 31.5 points + rebounds (-110 or better)

The Lakers have a middle-of-the-road projected total of 111 points for tonight’s game, but it’s a safe bet that LeBron should claim a sizable share of the scoring, as usual.

The future Hall of Famer closed out the preseason in good form and appears set for another run at the Larry O’Brien Trophy at age 38.

He’s free of the nagging lower-leg injuries – at least for the time being – that have besieged him the last couple of seasons, so it’s a good time to jump on an Over that’s very much within his range of outcomes.

LeBron averaged an impressive 27.8 points and 9.5 rebounds in the WCF against the Nuggets last summer and put up totals of 32 and 39 points + rebounds in two of three regular-season meetings with Denver.

LeBron also scored at least 25 points in 38 of 55 contests and pulled down at least seven rebounds on 45 occasions, further supporting the notion he could eclipse the benchmark for this prop relatively comfortably if he logs his usual heavy early-season workload.

NBA player props: Kevin Durant player props odds: Over 39.5 points + rebounds + assists (-101 or better)

Banking on a productive all-around performance from the versatile Durant is never a bad idea, especially when his opponent plays fast and is one he has some history with.

KD averaged 29.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists between his time with the Nets and Suns last season, and he’s now had plenty of time to build chemistry with his teammates after injury limited his regular-season tenure with Phoenix to just eight games following his trade from Brooklyn.

Durant was also stellar during the Suns’ two postseason series, posting averages against the Clippers and Nuggets in the first two rounds that eclipsed this prop.

The Warriors gave up 35 points + rebounds + assists in just 29 minutes to Durant the one time they faced him last season. Although they’re a tough defensive team at home, KD’s talent could lead him to cash this prop, even more so if at least one of his teammates, Bradley Beal (back) or Devin Booker (toe), fails to take the floor.

Stephen Curry player props odds: Over 4.5 made three-pointers (-111 or better)

Curry three-pointer props are always a fun sweat, and if he’s locked in, you’re counting your winnings by halftime.

Last season, the legendary sharpshooter drained at least five three-points in 29 of 56 regular-season games, including twice in four games against the Suns. Overall, he shot a blistering 48.8 percent from behind the arc in four games versus Phoenix.

Tuesday night’s projected total for Golden State sits at the highest for the four teams in action, a robust 118.25 as of Tuesday morning. Curry should undoubtedly have a bit of extra juice, especially given the conditions of Opening Night and his desire to atone for a disappointing title-defense season a year ago.

As such, we’ll take a shot on him being aggressive from buzzer to buzzer – while potentially facing a short-handed Suns backcourt, as noted earlier – in what should be a very competitive game.

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