NBA best bets: Pistons to get help from Ivey leaguer

The NFL playoffs are right around the corner, but before we get to the fun this weekend, let's build up our bankroll with a few plus-money NBA player props on Wednesday night. 

Injuries creating value in NBA player props

Jaden Ivey 25+ points (+205 DraftKings)

This is an ideal spot for Ivey to fill up the stat sheet. Without Cade Cunningham in the lineup on Tuesday night, Ivey poured in 22 points on a team-high 17 shot attempts and nine three-point attempts. Now he gets to face a San Antonio Spurs team that surrenders the most points and the sixth-most threes per game to opposing point guards in the NBA.

Someone needs to step up for the Detroit Pistons in the scoring column with Cunningham sidelined, and it looks as if that's going to be Ivey. 

Myles Turner 30+ points + rebounds (+145 DK)

Moving over to Wednesday night's matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Washington Wizards, the total is set at a staggering 252.5. Pacers leading scorer Tyrese Haliburton has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain, so who's going to take his place in what should be a high-scoring affair?

Well, Turner is averaging 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game this season, and he should be able to improve upon those numbers in a golden matchup. The Wizards rank dead last in the NBA in points and rebounds allowed to opposing centers. Daniel Gafford has been a sieve on defense all season, and Turner should be able to light him up while leading an undermanned Pacers squad. 

In the news ...

Mike Vrabel fired after six seasons with the Titans — In a surprising move, the Tennessee Titans parted ways with head coach Mike Vrabel Tuesday after a 6-11 season. Vrabel led the Titans to four straight winning seasons and the No. 1 seed in 2021, but Tennessee went 13-21 over the last two years with him in charge. According to SportsLine, the New England Patriots, Vrabel's former team, are the betting favorites to land the sought-after head coach. 

No. 1 Purdue, No. 2 Houston upset in college basketball — Tuesday night was chaos night in college basketball, as the top two teams in the AP poll both fell to unranked opponents on the road. No. 1 Purdue went down to Nebraska in an 88-72 drubbing, and No. 2 Houston suffered its first loss of the season to Iowa State by a score of 57-53. Despite the loss, the Boilermakers are still +850 favorites to win the national championship. 

Tiger Woods splits with Nike after 27 years — One of the most iconic brand deals in professional sports history is over. Woods announced this week that he's breaking away from Nike after a 27-year partnership. Nike was with Woods for all 82 of his PGA Tour victories and all 15 of his major championships, but the golf legend is ready for a new chapter. If you believe in a career renaissance from the Big Cat with whichever brand he chooses to join, you can bet Woods at +4000 to win a major in 2024. 

Today's Bark Bets is written by Jack Dougherty