2024 might be coming to a close, but there’s still some basketball to be played before the ball drops! A twelve-team, six-game NBA slate will help us ring in the new year with some terrific matchups. Among the headliners, a Timberwolves-Thunder showdown in Oklahoma City stands out, as well as a battle between Donovan Mitchell’s 28-4 Cavaliers and LeBron James’ Lakers in Los Angeles. With so many stars in action, narrowing down a few players to back easier said than done. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t bets worth placing. Here are three props catching my eye tonight.
Scottie Barnes over 20.5 points (-125)
The Raptors are one of the worst teams in basketball, currently sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 7-25 record. To be fair to Toronto, the team has been hampered by injuries to several starters, including Scottie Barnes. Despite missing 13 games, the former Rookie of the Year has put up 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists on 45.5% shooting from the field.
Those numbers, while solid, don’t tell the whole story when it comes to Tuesday’s matchup. This afternoon, the Celtics could be without their best perimeter defender in Jrue Holiday (shoulder) and their best rim protector in Kristaps Porzingis (ankle). Boston is tough to score against in most cases, but they have given up the sixth-most points in the paint this season (50.4). The Raptors are shorthanded as well, with team-leading scorer RJ Barrett (illness) already ruled out. With injuries on both sides, the path for Barnes to reach 20+ points has never been clearer; look for the forward to take control for a desperate Toronto squad.
Rudy Gobert over 10.5 rebounds (-130)
It’s been a shaky start for just about everyone on the Timberwolves, including Rudy Gobert. The big man is still averaging a double-double this season, but his counting numbers have gone down across the board (10.5 PPG, 10.7 RPG). Notably, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year has even seen his block total decline to 1.4 per game, tied for his lowest total in over ten years.
Tonight’s contest should give the Frenchman a boost on the glass. This season, the Thunder are allowing 57.3 rebounds to opponents, second-worst in the NBA. Over his last ten matchups with Oklahoma City, in games played with more than 20 minutes, Gobert has gone over this total seven times. The price might be a bit high, but the center should pull down plenty of boards on both ends of the floor in this one.
Bradley Beal more than 2.5 three-pointers made (+130)
Uncertainty abounds in Phoenix, where the team hopes to welcome back Devin Booker (groin) for the first time in almost two weeks. With or without the All-NBA star, there’s still plenty of firepower for the Suns. That includes Bradley Beal; the three-time All-Star has posted 19.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 49.4% shooting (38.9 3PT%) from the field.
Beal isn’t coming close to his statistical output with the Wizards, but he’s still capable of putting up buckets in a hurry. That includes from deep, where the sharpshooter has knocked down three or more three-pointers in four of his last five appearances. That should come in handy on Tuesday against a Grizzlies team giving up the third-most attempts per game from beyond the arc (39.9). Even if Booker makes his return tonight, there should be enough open looks for Phoenix’s third star to make an impact.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
