NBA bets: What's the worry, cash in with Murray

There are only two weeks left in the NBA regular season, but there's still plenty of time to stack up some cash before the playoffs get underway. With so many injuries around the league right now, there's money to be made on players taking on a bigger workload. Let's target two plus-money props for Wednesday night's NBA slate based on injuries and increased opportunities. 

Dejounte Murray to score 30+ points (+200 FanDuel)

With Trae Young out of the lineup, Murray can take as many shot attempts as he wants for the Atlanta Hawks. The point guard ranks second in the NBA in field-goal attempts per game and fourth in three-point attempts per game over his last 11. Last week against the Boston Celtics, Murray attempted a whopping 44 shots and 19 threes en route to a 44-point performance. 

This is strictly a volume play, and there aren't many players in the NBA right now with more free rein to chuck up shots than Murray. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo to record 16+ rebounds (+190 FD)

The Milwaukee Bucks need a bounce-back win after inexplicably losing to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night, and it will be up to Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard ruled out and Khris Middleton listed as doubtful. Antetokounmpo has been feasting on the glass of late, averaging 17 rebounds per game over his last five. The Greek Freak ranks second in the NBA in rebounds chances per game (24.0) over that stretch. 

This is a great matchup, too, as the Memphis Grizzlies rank dead last in the NBA in field-goal percentage and 29th in total rebounds allowed per game. Antetokounmpo could grab 20 boards in this game. 

In the news ...

Bills trade Stefon Diggs to Houston — The Houston Texans shook up the NFL world Wednesday by trading for star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and sportsbooks took immediate notice. Following the trade, Houston's Super Bowl odds crashed from +2500 to +1800, and C.J. Stroud is now +1100 to win NFL MVP. The Buffalo Bills, on the other hand, moved up from +1100 to +1300 to win the Super Bowl.

Joel Embiid returns to lead 76ers past the Thunder — The Philadelphia 76ers received a major boost Tuesday night when Embiid returned to the lineup after a two-month absence due to a knee injury. The reigning MVP scored 24 points, dished out seven assists and grabbed six rebounds to lead Philadelphia to a 109-105 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Embiid back on the court, the Sixers are now +1200 to win the Eastern Conference. 

Victor Wembanyama records near-quadruple-double against Nuggets — The Wembanyama show just keeps getting better and better. On Tuesday night, the star rookie put up a ridiculous stat line with 23 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists and nine blocks against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Wemby is such a lock to win Rookie of the Year sportsbooks pulled the odds on the award market. 

Bryce Harper cracks three home runs, grand slam against Reds — Harper got off to a slow start to the 2024 season, going 0-11 with five strikeouts in his first three starts. That changed in a big way Tuesday night, as the Philadelphia Phillies slugger belted three home runs, including a grand slam, in a 9-4 win against the Cincinnati Reds. Harper is +1600 to win NL MVP. 

Today's Bark Bets is written by Jack Dougherty