With nine games on the NBA betting board tonight, there is no shortage of options for hungry NBA player prop bettors to dig into.
Can Luka Doncic quickly re-find his shooting rhythm tonight against the Timberwolves after missing a game? It may be a Wembanyama Bowl matchup when the Rockets take on the Spurs, but a Houston big who could give San Antonio problems. And who will step up in Devin Booker’s absence when the Suns take on the Lakers?
Here are my best NBA player prop picks for Monday, December 19.
NBA player props for December 19
Picks made on 12/19/2022 at 3:15 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Today’s best NBA player props
The odds widgets below represent the best odds currently available for each betting market at regulated sportsbooks.
Doncic drains from deep
After sitting out one game with a quad injury, it sounds like Luka Doncic will be available tonight for the Dallas Mavericks when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. And as long as Luka is on the court and we are getting plus-money on his made 3-pointers prop against the Timberwolves' allergic-to-perimeter defense, you know we are jumping on the Over.
Prior to sitting out the team’s last game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Doncic had really found his shooting stroke of late. The Mavs superstar was hitting an awesome 40.9% of his 9.8 attempts from long range over his last nine games.
The plus money is even more shocking when you consider the matchup against the Timberwolves. Minnesota is one of the worst teams in the NBA when it comes to defending the 3-ball. The Timberwolves surrender the third-most 3-point attempts per game while ranking 26th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.
Like I said, as long as Doncic is breathing and playing basketball, there is no way the Over 3.5 threes shouldn’t be a strong consideration here. It’s a number that he’s eclipsed six times over his last nine contests.
Luka Doncic Prop: Over 3.5 made 3-pointers (+130)
Sengun's locked and loaded
The Houston Rockets may be in the thick of the race for likely No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama in next June’s NBA Draft. But it’s clear that the Rockets have some intriguing pieces already, including sophomore center Alperen Sengun. He's got a prop worth betting on in tonight’s matchup against fellow Wembanyama contenders, the San Antonio Spurs.
The Turkish big man has been a reliable presence in the middle for the Rockets, averaging 14.2 points while shooting 53.3% from the floor. He’s also contributing on the boards, hauling down 8.8 rebounds per game. That means Sengun looks like a great candidate to record a double-double in this matchup.
That’s because the Spurs stink in two key areas, and both are on the interior. One, they surrender the second-most points in the paint per game in the NBA this season. And two, San Antonio ranks 22nd in rebounding rate and 17th in opponent rebounds per game.
Sengun has recorded eight double-doubles this season with one coming against this same Spurs team just back on Dec. 8 where he went for 16 points and 11 boards. At a +220 value, it’s worth a shot to back him to get No. 9 tonight.
Alperen Sengun Prop: To record a double-double (+220)
Bridges turns the page
Devin Booker will miss another game for the Phoenix Suns due to a groin injury, this time against the Los Angeles Lakers. But that creates an opportunity for one of Booker’s teammates and, in turn, an opportunity for prop bettors.
And that’s with Mikal Bridges' point total. It's on the board at 19.5 and while he’s gone Over that number just one of the two times that Booker has missed a game this season, he hasn’t been shy about shouldering more of the scoring load when Booker hasn’t been able to go.
Bridges averages 12.9 field goal attempts per game this season but in the two games Booker has missed, he’s put up 23 and 24 shots, respectively. Additionally, Bridges has shot the ball well this season, hitting 47.3% of his attempts, including 40.4% from 3-point range.
Now, he faces a middling Lakers defense that gives up a ton of points (25th in scoring defense) that could be without two of its best defenders. Anthony Davis is sidelined for at least a month and won’t be there to clog up the inside. While Patrick Beverly is questionable with a calf injury.
Someone is going to have to score for the Suns in this matchup, and Bridges is the best bet to go Over his points total.
Mikal Bridges Prop: Over 19.5 points (-105)
