Christmas, the NBA’s marquee regular season event, is just around the corner. However, only 12 teams will take the floor for some holiday hoops. For everyone else, Tuesday is their last time taking the floor until Friday at the earliest. Tonight, 28 different squads will face off, giving bettors a loaded slate of high-level basketball.
Which players stand out on this massive 14-game slate? Here are my three favorite NBA player prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Tuesday’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Darius Garland 8+ assists (+100)
Following a terrific campaign last season, things have been far more difficult this time around for Darius Garland. Through 14 contests, the guard is averaging 17.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.8 assists. In addition, he’s delivered inefficient 40/35/89 shooting splits. Granted, that’s due in large part to a nagging toe injury, which kept the 25-year-old sidelined on various occasions. As the season progresses, Cleveland’s lead distributor should return to full strength.
Garland’s shooting is streaky at the moment, making his point totals a risky proposition. However, the Vanderbilt alum can thrive in other ways, especially as a passer. In three of his previous four games, the two-time All-Star has notched at least eight assists. There’s a decent chance that trend continues tonight against the Pelicans. New Orleans has allowed 28.8 dimes per game to opponents, fourth-most in basketball. At even money, Garland can provide significant value for bettors.
Naz Reid under 6.5 rebounds (-140)
Minnesota’s emergence as a Western Conference contender has coincided with Naz Reid’s progression as a player. The former Sixth Man of the Year remains an over-qualified substitute. Over 29 games, he’s posted 13.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 46% from the field. Beyond the arc, Reid is knocking down 2.3 three-pointers per game with 37% accuracy. That allows the 6’9″ sharpshooter to share the court with fellow bigs Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle.
With that being said, Tuesday’s matchup could prove difficult for Reid. The Knicks are one of the few teams that can match Minnesota’s size, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson down low. As a result, New York is allowing the sixth-fewest rebounds per game (50.5). When these two teams last met in November, Reid only managed to snag six boards. In fact, the center has surpassed that mark in just 11 of his 29 appearances this season. Keeping that in mind, success on the glass may be hard to come by tonight.
Jaren Jackson Jr. 2+ three-pointers made (-129)
Memphis has suffered through a season from hell, with a myriad of on and off-court issues plaguing the club. Still, Jaren Jackson Jr. remains one of the NBA’s best two-way players. Through 27 games this season, the 26-year-old has accounted for 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists. On the other end of the floor, he’s chipped in with 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals. Well-rounded numbers are nice, but nothing stands out when looking over those statistics.
Jackson Jr. remains capable from beyond the arc, connecting on over 36% of his attempts. In three of the power forward’s last four outings, he’s drained multiple shots from long distance. That bodes well heading into Tuesday’s showdown with the Jazz. Utah has surrendered an NBA-worst 15.3 three-pointers per game to opponents. Memphis remains without Ja Morant (ankle), along with several other key contributors. That means the offense should continue to flow through JJJ. All it’ll take is two or more treys for the big man to cash in tonight.
