Betting ESPN's Wednesday NBA doubleheader: Props that stand out

Wednesday night features nine games on the NBA slate, highlighted by a doubleheader on ESPN. The East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers (60-15) host the New York Knicks (48-27) in the early game (7 p.m. ET). The Cavs are coming of a win over the LA Clippers in their most recent outing Sunday, while the Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

In the 9:30 p.m. ET game on ESPN, the Oklahoma City Thunder (63-12), led by MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, welcome a Detroit Pistons (42-33) team that will be shorthanded after three players were suspended for an on-court brawl in a loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Pistons star point guard Cade Cunningham is listed as doubtful with a calf injury.

ESPN BET is offering an array of props for the games, and betting analysts Andre Snellings and Eric Moody are here to break it down and offer their favorite bets.

For the latest odds, visit ESPN BET Sportsbook.

Bets we like

Cavaliers -10.5 (-115) vs. Knicks

The Knicks have notoriously struggled against good teams this season and are winless against the top three teams in the league. The Knicks are a combined 0-7 with an average losing margin of 20.1 PPG against the Cavs, Thunder and Boston Celtics. Their only loss by less than 10 points to the trio came against the Cavaliers back in October. The Knicks are still without Jalen Brunson, and the Cavaliers have bounced back from a recent four-game losing streak to win four of their past five games. -- Snellings

Donovan Mitchell OVER 36.5 points, rebounds and assists (-115)

Mitchell is in a great spot against a Knicks team playing on the second night of a back-to-back. He has cleared this line in three straight games, playing at least 34 minutes in each with a big usage rate. Even though the Cavaliers are double-digit favorites, this game should be more competitive than the spread suggests. Mitchell and the Cavaliers will be looking to build momentum with the playoffs approaching. This matchup gives him a golden opportunity to make a statement against a Knicks team that sits third in the Eastern Conference. -- Moody

Darius Garland UNDER 30.5 points, rebounds and assists (-125)

Garland has struggled since the All-Star break, going under this line in 16 of his past 20 games and shooting just 40% from the field. I expect the Cavaliers to rely heavily on Mitchell against the Knicks. Garland has gone under this line in 66% of Cleveland's 32 wins by 11 or more points this season. -- Moody

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OVER 39.5 total points and assists (-120)

SGA routinely produces amazing games and is the runaway favorite to win MVP this season. But he also is human enough to pay attention to what's going on around him. Nikola Jokic just dropped a 60-point triple-double on Tuesday night in a nationally televised game, so Wednesday is Gilgeous-Alexander's opportunity to respond. When Jokic dropped a 30/20/20 triple-double on March 8, SGA responded the next night with 40 points and five assists. I'm expecting him to have another strong game against a Pistons squad that will be without Cunningham. -- Snellings

Pistons UNDER 108.5 points (-125)

Detroit will be shorthanded against an Oklahoma City defense that ranks first in points allowed per 100 possessions. The Thunder have held opponents under this line in seven of their past nine games. They have aggressive defenders who disrupt passing lanes and protect the paint well. Even with Cunningham on the floor, the Pistons' offense has struggled. Without him, and with multiple suspensions, it's hard to see them generating much against one of the league's top defenses. -- Moody