Best Prop Bets for Game 2 - Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets

Looking at some props for Game 2 of the Western Conference semi-final series between the Denver Nuggets, which you can find at BetUS by clicking the "Show All Props" link under the game odds:

DIRK NOWITZKI TOTAL POINTS AND REBOUNDS

Over 37½ Points+Rebounds -110

Under 37½ Points+Rebounds -120

The Nuggets did just about everything they could to harass Nowitzki in Game 1, and there was no question that at some point they got under his skin. Still, that did not prevent Nowitzki from dumping in 28 points with ten rebounds, and he made more field goals than he did in any game in the San Antonio series. On the season, Nowitzki is a little shy of this total number, with a 25.9 ppg average and 8.4 rebounds per game. In five games against the Spurs, Nowitzki topped this total figure just once.

Denver's defensive approach is to focus very intently on stopping Nowitzki, because on the first unit, there aren't other explosive scoring threats for Dallas. Part of the strategy is to lay some hurt on the guy and wear him down so that later in the series he is not as effective. That's a sound approach, as long as you are going to get the benefit of some "friendly" officiating. That's one thing the Nuggets got in Game 1, as the referees called 29 fouls on Dallas as opposed to just 19 on Denver. Nowitzki went to the line just five times in the first game, and we think he should make more trips this time, especially since there has been so much talk about the way Game 1 was officiated. Referees have a way of "evening things out." and it is quite possible that official Dan Crawford won't be working the game tonight, which is good news since the Mavs are 1-15 in the last 16 layoff games he's worked.

Kenyon Martin, who has been given the assignment of guarding Nowitzki, was fined $25,000 by the league for the way he conducted his business on Sunday. He's also been assessed a flagrant foul. He needs to be careful, or he's going to find himself out of the series. Nowitzki averaged 30 points and 11.3 rebounds in four regular season games against Denver; he can reach these numbers.

JAY'S PLAY: OVER 37.5 **

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JASON TERRY TOTAL POINTS

Over 17½ Points -115

Under 17½ Points -115

I know that Dallas would like to get some more balance into its offense, and it was just so-so that three different players had 15 points to complement Nowitzki's 28. One of those players was Jason Terry, one of the NBA's most dangerous sixth men in the regular season (19.6 ppg), who has been strangely quiet in the post-season thus far. Terry has not exceeded his average in any playoff game, averaging less than 14 points. He's also shot just 39.5% in playoff action. In last season's playoffs it was a little better, as he at least scored 20 points or more a couple of times in the five-game series against New Orleans. Terry is at least talking a new attitude. He told reporters Monday, "Look for us to be in attack mode from the start." As far as Terry's performance is concerned, I'd like to start seeing it first.