Best NBA Player Prop Bets for Saturday, December 31
What kind of performances can we expect on Friday evening from LaMelo Ball, Nic Claxton, and Jonas Valanciunas? Follow along as our NBA betting expert, Nick Galaida, breaks down his three favorite NBA prop bets for December 31 on the hardwood
On New Year’s Eve, the NBA slate features nine games, beginning with the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers at 3:00 pm EST. Some of the league’s brightest stars, including Tyrese Haliburton, Donovan Mitchell, and Luka Doncic will be playing basketball today, and there are many more talented players who are deserving of bettors’ attention on the prop market. Following back-to-back 2-1 days of article recommendations, let’s take a look at our favorite wagers for Saturday.
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NBA Player Props, December 31, 2022
- LaMelo Ball o23.5 points
- Jonas Valanciunas o13.5 points
- Nic Claxton o11.5 points
LaMelo Ball o23.5 points (-125)
Per EdgHouse, LaMelo Ball has eclipsed this market number in 6-of-10 games played since November 16, and has only scored fewer than 23 points once in that span. Tonight, Kelly Oubre has been ruled out, which is likely to result in another high-volume game for Ball. Per Court IQ, Ball is averaging 28.9 points per 36 minutes when Oubre Jr. is off of the floor this season, and his +5.1% increase in usage when Oubre Jr. is on the sidelines is the most significant of any player on the Charlotte Hornets. Though the Brooklyn Nets are 6-0 on the road during the month of December, they rank only 20th in the NBA in defensive efficiency in those contests. Consequently, Ball should have a great opportunity to cash the over in this spot on Saturday.
Jonas Valanciunas o13.5 points (-120)
Per Court IQ, Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 14.3 points per 26 minutes of action this season when Brandon Ingram is off of the floor. In his last eight games, Valanciunas is averaging 28.5 minutes and has not played fewer than 26 minutes in any of those contests. Tonight, he could see an increase in minutes against a formidable Memphis Grizzlies frontcourt that features the 6’11’’ 265-pound Steven Adams at center and the 6’11’’ 242-pound Jaren Jackson Jr. at power forward. On the season, only two teams have a better rebound percentage than the Grizzlies. Expect Valanciunas to get plenty of playing time this evening if he can stay out of foul trouble, which should afford him ample volume on the offensive end of the floor to have a good chance to cash the over at this market number.
Nic Claxton o11.5 points (-120)
Per EdgHouse, Nic Claxton has eclipsed this number in 10-of-16 games since November 22. Tonight, he gets an extremely favorable matchup against a Charlotte Hornets team that ranks 30th in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage in the paint this season and 24th during the month of December. In Claxton’s last nine games, he has committed more than three fouls only once, proving himself capable of staying out of foul trouble. As a result, he has seen more playing time – averaging a season high-29.6 minutes per game this month, compared to 27.1 minutes per game in November. In three consecutive contests, Claxton has attempted at least nine shots from the field. Against a weak Charlotte frontcourt, he should have another great opportunity to hit the over at this number.
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