Zion Williamson’s late burst helps bettors cash in on multiple player props [UPDATE]

Final Update for Zion Williamson player prop bets in NBA debut

Well, if you bet on some of these Zion player props, you had one hell of a sweat! Williamson came on strong to hit the OVER for his point total (14.5), rebound total (5.5), assist total (1.5) and the combo of all three (20.5). He won’t be the top scorer in the game and didn’t reach a double-double. Had it not been for that insane 17 straight points, it was looking like a lackluster debut for Zion. Of course, the beast woke up late and gave us one hell of a debut.

Third quarter UPDATE: It’s not look good for Zion Williamson’s player props so far. He’s up to five points, four rebounds and one assist, so that total is only at 10 — the OVER/UNDER closed at 20.5. It’ll take a lot in the fourth to get Williamson to OVER 14.5 points, though his rebounds prop is in play at 5.5.

Second Quarter UPDATE: Zion made his first basket in the NBA, but the Pelicans are clearly easing him back into the rotation. In the first half, he played just eight minutes, scoring two points to go along with three rebounds. Unless he plays a bigger role in the second half, under bets on his props look safe.

First Quarter UPDATE: Derrick Favors stole the spotlight early on by scoring the first bucket of the game over Zion Williamson.

UPDATE: Jan. 22, 7:49 p.m. — Williamson is confirmed in the starting lineup by coach Alvin Gentry and is expected to play in short bursts.

UPDATE: 3:48 p.m. — Some of the lines below have moved a bit for Zion in his debut. His point total jumped from 12.5 to 14.5 over the course of the day. Less people think Williamson will hit a 3-pointer, while his total points, assists and rebounds line has gone up from 19.5 to 20.5.

New Orleans Pelicans PF Zion Williamson will make his NBA Debut on Wednesday vs. the San Antonio Spurs. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick has been sidelined all season after undergoing knee surgery back in October. While the rookie sensation is back in the lineup, we already know he’s going to be on a minutes restriction. So how does that effect betting on Zion in his debut? Let’s take a look at some of the player props and lines offered on DraftKings Sportsbook on Williamson for the game:

Zion Williamson NBA Debut player prop bets

Point Total: Over 14.5 (-104)
3-Pointers: Over 0.5 (+136)
Rebounds: Over 5.5 (-155)
Assists: Over 1.5 (-118)
Top Point Scorer: +2000
Points, Rebounds, Assists Total: Over 20.5 (-125)

So there’s a lot to like about these props regardless of the minutes limit. With so much hype surrounding Zion’s debut, I think we could see him play 20 minutes or so, particularly if the game isn’t close. Zion can shoot a bit and the Spurs don’t have great defenders, so Williamson hitting a 3-pointer I like a bit. I could see him picking up a few assists as well, he’s just a very talented basketball player.

Boost player props via DK Sportsbook

To score OVER 19.5 points: +250
To score first FG of the game: +470
To record a double-double: +440

Zion Williamson Rookie of the Year odds analysis

DraftKings Sportsbook also has Zion’s odds to win Rookie of the Year, which are set at +1800. Ja Morant is the favorite at -500. It will be difficult for Zion to get back into the ROTY race considering a few factors. The minutes limit will hold him back from truly showing his full potential. Even if he gets off the restriction — which he may not the rest of the season — he’d have to put up insane per 36 numbers to make a case. He also likely won’t get the games necessary to truly qualify for the award.

The Pelicans have 38 games remaining heading into Wednesday. New Orleans only has three back-to-back sets, so now Zion is down to 35 games as his ceiling for the season. Let’s assume, since there are so few B2Bs that the Pels will want to get Williamson additional rest outside the All-Star Break. If that’s the case, I’d guesstimate Zion plays around 30-32 games in the regular season.

For comparison, Joel Embiid played 31 games his rookie season, averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 25.4 minutes per game. He lost out on the award to Malcolm Brogdon. Morant is having a pretty remarkable season and the Memphis Grizzlies have a legit shot at the playoffs. If Zion puts up numbers rivaling Embiid’s, gets the Pelicans past the Grizz and into the playoffs, I’m not even sure that’s enough for him to beat out Morant.

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