My man Nick Richards! If you haven’t followed me on twitter yet(@freecheesekid) you wouldn’t understand my undying love for this man so far this season.
Nick Richards is a 7’0″ freak athlete. He is currently on the bench for the Charlotte Hornets, but I suspect by the trade deadline, Mason Plumlee will be sent away and this will be his job. He is very solid in the pick and roll game. Mostly because for a 7’0″ true center, guys just don’t move like he does. He reminds me of Hassan Whiteside. It took him 3 NBA seasons to see the court but that 3rd year, he erupted (Richards is now in his 3rd season). Richards isn’t the defensive player Hassan was but he has the height and mobility to snag any board near him.
Anyways, he averages just a hair under 3 minutes less than Plumlee (21.7) so he is getting PT (26th for all centers). I can only imagine he might start creeping towards even minutes with Plumlee. Lamelo Ball and Richards will be a nice pick and roll combo when he returns, and I might look to add his points prop when he does.
Richards is averaging 7.5 REB/gme. His total is set at 5.5 tonight -130(BetMGM) and has been almost all season. I think it should be at least 6.5 around -115 odds. He has gone over 5 of the 6 games this year. The lone game he didn’t get 5 rebounds, both teams were on fire shooting in the 60% range until the end. There was minimal chances and he still was only 2 boards shy. He had 2 boards slip out of his hands and another taken, which would have netted him 7 on the night.
Sacramento is one of the worst offensive rebounding teams in the league, 27th (8.2 Orbs/g). This should give Nick plenty of opportunity to get his boards on the defensive end.
He is also 1st in ORB% and 17th in True Rebound %. THIS GUY GET BOARDS.
His number on Oct. 29th was 5.5 for -105… Vegas is catching on but still give us the number we need to play it. There is Monday Night Football and NBA props are generally softer when there is primetime football.
Take Nick Richards o5.5 Rebound -130 (BetMGM)
-If you wait you may be able to get a better number, this is the only line I currently see. Typically his lie doesn’t come out until an hour before tip-off.
