Today’s NBA Player Prop Picks: Finding Value on NBA's Boxing Day Slate

We saw some good NBA basketball on Christmas Day, but it’s now time to turn the page to an eight-game slate on Sunday, December 26.  

For bettors, there’s a whole lot to choose from when looking at all of these matchups, but you aren’t going to want to forget to get some player props in. With 16 teams in action, it’s a great way to find some value and enjoy rooting for individual players. 

Continue reading our NBA Player Props for Sunday’s games for three of our favorite picks of the day.   

NBA player props for December 26

• Jackson Over 16.5 points (-120)
• Hernangomez Over 1.5 assists (-145)
• Murray To Record a Triple-Double (+390)

Picks made on 12/26/2021 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Today’s best NBA player props

Rockin' and Rollin'

Jaren Jackson Jr. is beginning to look like the future star that people thought he’d be after a stellar rookie season with the Grizzlies. The big man is averaging 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, and he has looked like a trustworthy second option alongside Ja Morant for a big portion of the year. 

Now, Jackson faces a Sacramento Kings team that is 28th in the league in defensive rating this season, which means only two teams have been worse defensively all year. Jackson only needs 17 points in order to help bettors cash in this game, and it’s hard to imagine him not reaching that mark in a game like this. 

Jackson has had at least 17 points in eight of his last 13 games, and he has actually had at least 20 points in five of his last eight. Overall, this line seems a bit disrespectful given how well he’s playing and who he is up against tonight. 

Pick: Jaren Jackson Over 16.5 points (-120 at Caesars)

Willy's dimes

Willy Hernangomez will be starting for Jonas Valanciunas when the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight. In Valanciunas’ absence last game, Hernangomez played 32 minutes. That’s more than enough minutes for him to help bettors make some money here. 

Hernangomez hasn’t always consistently seen big minutes in this league, but he has always shown that he is a solid passer for a big man. The 27-year-old has actually had six games in which he has had at least two assists this season, and he has done so despite only playing 15.2 minutes per game across 19 games played. With him in line for a big role in this one, don’t be afraid to hammer away at his Over on assists. 

The Pelicans give their big men a lot of paint touches, which is part of the reason Valanciunas had been having such a good season. Don’t expect them to change all that much with Hernangomez out there, as the center is plenty capable of making a big mark in the paint in this game. 

Pick: Willy Hernangomez Over 1.5 assists (-145 at Caesars) 

A stat-sheet stuffing Spur

Editor's Note: Murray has entered health and safety protocols and is listed out tonight vs. the Pistons.

Murray is coming off of a poor offensive showing against the Los Angeles Lakers, as the 25-year-old had only nine points on 3-16 shooting. Look for the San Antonio guard to turn things around against a lousy Detroit Pistons team, and don’t be surprised if Murray records yet another triple-double in this spot. 

On the season, the 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 17.8 points, 8.8 assists and 8.4 rebounds per game for the Spurs. He has the highest usage rate on his team, meaning he often has the ball in his hands and is given the opportunity to make plays for him and his teammates. In the month of December, Murray is averaging 15.8 points and 9.9 assists per game, which puts him right at the mark you’ll need here for two categories. He’s also averaging 8.2 rebounds per game in that span, but a matchup against the Pistons’ lousy offense should mean a few more missed shots than usual for him to go up and grab. 

This is surely the biggest long shot of today’s plays, but it’s worth taking a chance on it. Murray has six triple-doubles this season, and his recent outings suggest that there are plenty more coming. 

Pick: Dejounte Murray To Record A Triple-Double (+390 at FanDuel) 

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