The Milwaukee Bucks are visiting the Memphis Grizzlies on Boxing Day. While both teams had playoff aspirations coming into the season, injuries have kept them outside the mix thus far. Friday night’s tip off is at 8 p.m. ET, so let’s take a closer look at some of the best player props to target on DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Grizzlies are 4.5-point home favorites, with the game total set at 227.5, indicating a below-average scoring night overall. This will be the first of two meetings this season between these squads.
The Grizzlies are 14-16 after picking up a win over the Jazz on Tuesday. The Bucks are 12-18 but are also coming off a win, defeating the Pacers on Tuesday to snap a three-game losing streak.
As both teams battle their way back into postseason conversations, let’s take a look at what player prop bets make sense this Friday.
Bucks vs. Grizzlies Best Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Jaren Jackson Jr. over 2.5 Steals + Blocks (+107)
While the Grizzlies’ rotation on offense is uncertain, Jaren Jackson Jr. has stepped up the defensive intensity lately. He’s averaging 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals per game this season, but he has at least three steals plus blocks in four of his last five games.
He had three blocks and a steal in only 30 minutes against the Jazz on Tuesday after a block and two steals in 32 minutes against the Thunder. With Zach Edey out due to injury, there’s been a big increase in defensive numbers for Jackson.
Jackson will anchor the defense, and against the Bucks’ injury-depleted frontcourt, he should be able to get a good number of steals and blocks. Getting this prop at plus money is a good place to start your player prop bets for this matchup.
Jaylen Wells under 12.5 Points (-101)
The Grizzlies rotation is a little challenging to figure out with both Ja Morant (ankle) and Cedric Coward (heel) questionable, but even with both of those players out, Jaylen Wells hasn’t been able to get over this scoring line lately. The second-year forward has finished under 12.5 points in three straight games and is averaging 12.4 points on the season.
If Morant and/or Coward return, he could get even fewer opportunities, which could continue his recent scoring downturn. Wells is still getting good minutes and making meaningful defensive contributions, but his scoring has been down enough lately that getting this at even money with the potential for more scoring options to return feels like a great value.
Ryan Rollins over 4.5 assists (-104)
Whenever Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has been out with injury, Ryan Rollins has stepped into a much bigger role in the offense. Even with Kevin Porter Jr. carrying much of the load, Rollins has continued to be one of the team’s top playmakers.
Rollins is averaging 5.8 assists per game on the season and 5.5 assists in 14 games on the road. He produced at least five assists in eight straight games before handing out just four dimes on Tuesday. Over his last 20 games, he has gone over this prop line in 16 contests, posting at least four assists in three of those four games in which he came up short.
Rollins had a high point of 14 assists during that span, but with Porter also in the mix, he has enough help that he shouldn’t have to carry that much work on Friday. He should be able to get to at least five assists, though, as the Bucks try to take down the Grizzlies.
