Odds Are Against DeMarcus Cousins Having a Big Night in His Warriors Season Debut

• DeMarcus Cousins will make his long-awaited season debut with the Warriors on Friday evening 
• The four-time All-Star has been off since rupturing his Achilles tendon on January 26th
• Cousins began practicing with Golden State’s G League affiliate in early December

Interested in betting on tonight’s game? Read our full Warriors-Clippers game preview to see the latest odds and analysis. 

The Golden State Warriors’ Death Star is set to become fully operational on Friday evening as DeMarcus Cousins suits up for the defending champs for the first time all season.

The four-time All-Star has been an active participant in Golden State’s practices since late December and, by all accounts, has fully recovered from the devastating Achilles injury that sidelined him for nearly a full year. Steph Curry and the rest of the Warriors can hardly wait to watch as Cousins wreaks havoc on the rest of the NBA.

Steph Curry on DeMarcus Cousins’ return Friday, “Unleash the Boogie Man” ? THE LEAGUE’S FINISHED pic.twitter.com/KVNI1xMkv0

— Chris Montano (@gswchris) January 16, 2019

So, what can you expect from Boogie in his first taste of NBA action since January 26th, 2018? We’ve created a series of exclusive props in the tables below and have included our expert predictions.

Prop #1: DeMarcus Cousins Total Points

Achilles injuries are notoriously hard to bounce back from, especially for big men, who put considerably more pressure on their tendons. Just look at NBA Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, who managed only seven points in his first game back after tearing his Achilles in the 1999 playoffs. Jazz center Mehmet Okur was similarly ineffective in his first game back in 2010, registering just two points in 10 minutes of action.

First Game Stats for Players Returning from Achilles Injuries

Cousins can likely expect a similar drop off in production during his first game back as well. We’re taking the under and predicting a modest eight point effort in Cousins’ season debut.

Pick: Under

Prop # 2: DeMarcus Cousins Total Rebounds

Cousins averaged a career high 12.9 rebounds last season in New Orleans, but isn’t likely to come anywhere near that total this evening. Not only is Boogie still working on regaining his lift and explosiveness, but he’s also expected to be on a tight minutes restriction that will greatly reduce his productivity.

DeMarcus Cousins Career Statistics

Don’t be surprised if he gets the hook four minutes into the game and is taken out for good early in the third quarter. The Warriors have already won 31 games without Cousins playing a single second and have no reasons to run him into the ground in his first game back.

Pick: Under

Prop #3: DeMarcus Cousins Total Technicals

Cousins was among the league-leaders in technicals once again in 2017-18 despite missing 34 games. It was an impressive feat for the famously feisty center who has been teed up 10 times or more every season he’s been in the league.

How I’ve been prepping for my return @NBA2K #TheResurgence #0Doubt pic.twitter.com/JsgjVGWVCs

— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) January 18, 2019

Boogie will likely get a little lippy again tonight once his adrenaline starts flowing, but shouldn’t be on the court long enough to rub a ref the wrong way. Take the under and hope that he’s on his best behavior.

Pick: Under