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NBA Props: One stat leader to bet on in every game on Thursday, April 2
Updated: | First published:
Written by Dave Garofolo, Content Producer
Reviewed by Nick Slade
We use the Dimers Pro NBA projections to find the best betting angle in each game on Thursday, April 2.
There are six games on the NBA schedule on Thursday, April 2, and as we enter the final two weeks of the NBA playoff push, we continue to analyze the best NBA player props for every slate, thanks to the trusted data-backed insights from the Dimers Pro suite of NBA betting tools.
From our best bets and props to the Dimers Pro NBA Projections Hub and our prop trends, all exclusive to Dimers Pros, we have a loaded arsenal of features to help you cut through the noise and find the most profitable ways to bet on every single NBA game, just like how we nearly swept a slate with this same feature article.
Now included in the Dimers App, the NBA Player Projections Hub is one of the best ways to uncover hidden player prop value, providing daily projections for every NBA player, including points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals, and we'll be using this tool heavily today.
Tap to get a three-day free trial in the Dimers App!
This expansive hub can identify players on the brink of significant statistical performances, such as those who are within range of double digits in multiple categories as “Double-Double Threats” or “Triple-Double Threats” like Jayson Tatum on Wednesday night.
Dimers Pros can also find players who are projected not just to hit their regular prop line, but go over even further and cash some plus-money alternate lines or ladder props.
Today, we're looking at a theme, using our projections to bet on Game Leaders in specific categories. You can find these on DraftKings Sportsbook under each individual game and by finding the "Game Leaders" tab.
The Dimers App makes it super easy to find these projections; simply tap on each category, filter by game and you'll see every game's top-projected performers.
1. Devin Booker (Suns) - most points (+141)
Game: Suns vs. Hornets
Tip: 7:00 PM ET
In the first game of the night, Devin Booker projects as our top overall scorer at 25.1 points, ahead of the Hornets' top three scorers, Brandon Miller (21.9), LaMelo Ball (20.3) and Kon Knueppel (19.5). On his own team, he projects well over Dillon Brooks' 15.7.
Booker will run into Charlotte's top defense over their L15 games off of back-to-back 34+ point games, but he's not one to shy away from a tough matchup - he dropped 40 vs. the Celtics and 34 vs. the Timberwolves in March.
Picking the top scorer for the Hornets isn't easy, as any one of their big three is in line for 25+ points on any given night, but Booker regularly paces his team night in and night out and gets a favorable projection tonight.
2. Jalen Duren (Pistons) - most points (+248)
Game: Pistons vs. Timberwolves
Tip: 7:00 PM ET
The next game is a rematch of last week and one where we'll bank on Jalen Duren to hit his projection or even a little higher.
Duren has turned into a scoring machine in Cade Cunningham's absence, averaging almost 5 points more per game than his pre-All-Star Break numbers, and turned in four 30+ points games in March. We project him for 22.3 tonight behind Anthony Edwards at 24.2.
However, Edwards returned from injury the other night and played just 23 minutes and is listed questionable tonight. Even if he plays, he may not see his full workload, yet he's half the odds of Duren at +125, projecting less than 2 points above.
Either player is a target per our model, but based on projections, Duren looks like the better value.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) - most points (+132)
Game: Lakers vs. Thunder
Tip: 9:30 PM ET
Last one for points as we move to the later games in a superstar-driven matchup between the game's top two scorers this season, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Luka leads everyone in the NBA at 33.8 PPG with SGA just behind at 31.6 - no one else averages 30+.
If there's anyone that can match Luka point-for-point in this league, it's SGA, who's projected for 29.3 points tonight, just under a three-pointer behind Luka at 33.2.
The Thunder will bring the league's second-best defense over their past 15 games into this matchup, and while Luka is almost "matchup proof," a H2H duel with the MVP favorite is as good of a matchup to take the "underdog" at plus money.
4. Evan Mobley (Cavaliers) - most rebounds (+177)
Game: Cavaliers vs. Warriors
Tip: 10:00 PM ET
Told you we're switching it up.
In Cavs vs. Warriors, Evan Mobley is our top-projected rebounder at 8.7, over his teammate Jarrett Allen at 6.9 and opponent Brandon Podziemski at 5.8.
The Cavs teammates have similar averages this season, but they've also traded playing time with their own injury absences. Mobley's best numbers have come with Allen missing most of March, but in Allen's two games since returning, he played just 18 and 19 minutes, recording 10 and 4 rebounds in those two games. Mobley also recorded 10 in that first game, then in Allen's next night off, he dropped 17.
Allen's got the upside when fully healthy but between reduced minutes and sitting out half of this week's back-to-back, he's a riskier play and Mobley offers good value at +177 and the projected leader.
5. Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers) - most assists (+118)
Game: Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers
Tip: 10:00 PM ET
We're looking at Deni and his dimes for this one, as he projects with the top total in the game at 7.7, but at favorable +118 odds.
His top competition is his teammate Jrue Holiday at 6.3 projected assists, who's popped for a couple of 8+ games in the past two weeks, but has 4 or fewer assists in 5 of his last 6 games and Deni has led the game in 3 of his last 6.
The Blazers' defense has been great at limiting assisted baskets over their L15 games, ranking second in the NBA, setting up Deni with ideally low competition from the other team.
6. Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) - most Pts+Reb+Ast (+173)
Game: Spurs vs. Clippers
Tip: 10:30 PM ET
In the nightcap, we'll look for a player to lead in combined PRA, with Kawhi Leonard projected for 40.2.
The player projected right alongside him is Victor Wembanyama, who is on a heater. In just his past two games, he put up 41 points and 16+ boards in each.
This will be Wembanyama's third game in four days, and the Spurs have never been shy about managing his workload early in his career for long-term gain. This aligns with his odds of -103, as a player with 60+ PRA in B2B games should realistically be much shorter. The Spurs are also almost locked into a top two seed, while the Clippers are a half-game from falling into the lowest-seeded Play-In game.
With motivation on L.A's side, Leonard should be the engine of this game and projects almost 10 PRA higher than any of his teammates.
Dimers' NBA betting resources for the 2025-26 season
- NBA Game Predictions: Our data-backed previews for every NBA matchup, every day.
- NBA Best Bets: Our Top Picks for every game.
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- Best NBA Props: Player edges and projections from our predictive analytics model
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To give you the most accurate and helpful information, this article has been reviewed and edited by Nick Slade through our fact-checking process.
Dave Garofolo uses sophisticated AI-driven analytics to make predictions and evaluate player performances in the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAAM, and PGA TOUR tournaments, crafting insightful game and prop previews.
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