The NBA All-Star break is almost here, but first we have three games on Thursday night before we get to the festivities in Indianapolis.
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite PrizePicks projections to target for the three-game slate.
Vince Williams (Grizzlies vs. Bucks) more than 20.5 points + assists
The Grizzlies have dealt with more injuries this season than any team in the NBA, and it looks like they will be shorthanded again on Thursday night.
Jaren Jackson Jr., who is averaging 22.3 points per game, is listed as doubtful with soreness in his right quadriceps.
Per RotoGrinders CourtIQ tool, Williams has posted a 22% usage rate and has averaged 15.7 points per 36 minutes when Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jackson have been off the floor, which looks like it will be the case against the Bucks.
In addition to Jackson being doubtful, the Grizzlies will be without Derrick Rose and Scotty Pippen Jr., and potentially without John Konchar (doubtful) and Luke Kennard (questionable).
They have a serious shortage of ball-handlers, and Williams could be one of the few players left standing for Memphis who can handle that role.
Williams has already been filling some of that role recently, as his assist rate has been on the rise. Over the last six games, he has averaged 6.8 dimes per game.
The matchup against the Bucks is also a positive for this projection to hit, as they play at the fifth-fastest pace in the league and rank just 17th in defensive rating.
Williams should have a huge role for the Grizzlies and has a great chance to beat his points + assists projection.
Draymond Green (Warriors vs. Jazz) more than 23.5 points + rebounds + assists
The Warriors have been playing much better of late, and part of that is due to the return of Green to the lineup.
They dropped a tough one against the Clippers Wednesday night, blowing a double-digit fourth-quarter lead.
They will look to get back into the win column against a Jazz team they beat by 22 points earlier this week.
Green was sensational in that Jazz game, nearly posting a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists (30 P+R+A) in just 23 minutes.
The Jazz are a great matchup as they play at the ninth-fastest pace in the league and rank just 25th in defensive rating.
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The back-to-back is a small concern, but Green has held up well in two such scenarios recently.
He played 35 minutes against the Hawks and 28 minutes against the Pacers when playing on consecutive nights earlier this month.
John Collins (Jazz vs. Warriors) more than 10.5 rebounds + assists
Collins has been playing well for the Jazz and the team’s rotation changes haven’t seemed to impact his production.
He is averaging 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in February, and he has topped 10.5 rebounds + assists in five of the six games this month.
In the Warriors game earlier this week, Collins posted 7 rebounds and 5 assists in 28 minutes despite Golden State throttling the Jazz.
The game environment is great as both teams play at a top-12 pace.
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