NBA Player Props Today: Best Bets & Picks for Friday (12/20)

Mobley of the Cavaliers

What kind of performances can we expect on Friday from Evan Mobley, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Tyrese Maxey? Follow along as our NBA betting expert, Nick Galaida, breaks down three of his favorite NBA prop bets for today — Friday, December 20, 2024. Get all of Nick’s picks, including more NBA player props, at ScoresAndOdds.

Friday’s NBA slate features only 3 games, but hoops fans won’t be short on entertainment, with stars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, and more scheduled to be in action.

Joel Embiid is officially listed as questionable and Damian Lillard has already been ruled out. As always, make sure to keep an eye on the status of key players ahead of tip-off, and use RotoGrinders CourtIQ to help aid your research process in situations where stars aren’t playing.

If looking to target the player prop market today, we have three player prop leans worth considering for Friday, December 20!

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NBA Player Props Today – Friday, December 20, 2024

Evan Mobley OVER 16.5 Points (-109, Bally)

Evan Mobley played only 23 minutes on Monday in his return from a sprained ankle, but he still managed 21 points on an efficient 7-for-9 shooting from the floor. Mobley should see an increased workload given the long layoff since the team’s last game. It’s also worth pointing out that Cleveland defeated Brooklyn by 29 points on Monday, so there was no need to push Mobley in any sense. Mobley enters play averaging 18.4 points per game this season. This is good value for a talented player who should be nearing 100% health.

Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 6.5 Assists (-143, Bally)

According to RotoGrinders CourtIQ, Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 8.1 assists per 36 minutes this season with Damian Lillard off of the floor. In 3 games that Lillard has been unavailable this season, Antetokounmpo has recorded 7+ assists in each of those games, including a 12 assists performance against the Hornets on November 16. Importantly, Antetokounmpo has posted 19+ potential assists in 2 of those games, which is further evidence of his increased responsibility as a facilitator when Lillard is not on the court. The math checks out here as long as we get a reasonably competitive game script.

Tyrese Maxey UNDER 26.5 Points (-122, FanDuel)

Joel Embiid reportedly looked “great” at practice on Thursday and has been upgraded from out to questionable ahead of tip-off – a sign that he is likely closer to probable. In 3 games that Tyrese Maxey has played alongside Embiid this season, Maxey has yet to score more than 25 points. Charlotte isn’t a great defensive team, but they do rank 20th in defensive rating this season, which is an improvement from where they have been in recent years. From a probability perspective, this market number is simply too high if Embiid is on the court on Friday.

Image Credit: Getty Images

About the Author

nickgalaida
Nick Galaida (nickgalaida)

A failed high school pitcher, Nick Galaida discovered that he has a higher aptitude for analyzing and writing about sports than he does playing them. To his friends, he is better known as “The Commish.” When he’s not organizing a fantasy league, placing a bet, or writing an article, he’s probably nose-deep in a book—further illustrating the point that his niche in this world is as a nerd rather than an athlete. Follow Nick on Twitter – @CommishFilmRoom