NBA Player Prop Bet Picks & Predictions: Thursday (12/26)
I wish you and your families the best this holiday season and hope everything is merry and bright. After an interesting last couple of days of sports, we are back to our general regular scheduled programming with a nine-game slate.
It's been a great season, and I hope we continue that trend tonight. As always, monitor injury news and lineup announcements. The best way to stay sharp regarding NBA player props is by staying on top of the news. The second-best way is to shop around at different sportsbooks. Player props rarely have identical odds across platforms, so make sure you're getting the best value. Let's get to it.
Unless specified otherwise, each bet will be for a single unit.
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Thursday's Best NBA Player Prop Bets
Last Time: 1-2 | Season: 67-46
Miles Bridges Over 17.5 Points (-105 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
This prop varies across platforms and makes for a great PrizePicks option that currently sits around 16.5, so just a friendly reminder to shop around for the best odds. When betting on the NBA this year, one of my basic strategies has been to target whoever faces the Washington Wizards and back their overs. Tonight is no different.
The Wizards are a top-five-paced team with one of the worst defenses in the league. Two of their starters are questionable and they've allowed the fourth-most points to opposing power forwards. It helps that Brandon Miller is questionable. Miles Bridges has averaged over 18 points a game in the last two weeks and is just shy of 17 on the season, so he should have no problem getting to 18 in such a friendly matchup.
Anfernee Simons Over 23.5 Points + Assists (-115 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
The only team that ranks worse than the Wizards in terms of defensive efficiency is the Utah Jazz. They've been at the bottom of the barrel all season and have two starters currently questionable with a game total sitting just shy of 230. Anfernee Simons has covered this line in four of his last five games and he's a much better scorer and facilitator at home, which the Trail Blazers will be tonight.
Both teams rank in the top half of the league in pace of play. I'm surprised this line isn't higher. The Portland guard has seen a steady uptick in usage throughout the season and I expect the Trail Blazers to put up points tonight with Simons a big part of the scoring effort.
Ja Morant Over 22.5 Points (-106 on Caesars Sportsbook)
It's been a bit of variance for Ja Morant, who has been on and off the court with injuries. He's averaging over 21 points a game this season but has scored 23+ points in four out of his last seven games and three of his last five. With one of the biggest totals on the slate at around 237, I have to get at least one over here.
The Grizzlies are the fastest-paced team in the league and they've only picked up speed as the season has gone along. The Raptors are a top-10 ranked team right behind them but their defense ranks in the bottom 10, hence the 12.5-point spread for Memphis. I believe Morant is going to have a monster game tonight and could score 30 points, so feel free to take some alts here.
Additional Bets to Consider
- Josh Giddey Over 18.5 Points + Assists (-113 Caesars Sportsbook)
- Isaiah Hartenstein Under 29.5 Points + Assists + Rebounds (-121 Caesars Sportsbook)
- DeMar DeRozan Over 27.5 Points + Assists + Rebounds (-106 Caesars Sportsbook)
Ryan Coleman is a featured writer at BettingPros. Follow him on Twitter @ryancoleman_98. For more from Ryan, check out his archive.