Today’s NBA Player Prop Picks: The King Feasts vs. Sac-Town

It’s a lighter day on the NBA schedule, with just five games on the board, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of basketball betting value to be found, particularly when looking at the player prop market.

Today, we focus on The King himself, as LeBron James prepares to crown Sacramento in the paint, and look at whether Devin Booker can keep the Suns hot when they visit the Pelicans?

Check out our NBA player prop picks for Tuesday, January 4, as we bank on some of the NBA's best to do their thing.

NBA player props for January 4

• Fred VanVleet Over 21.5 Points (-120)
• Devin Booker Over 2.5 Made Threes (-140)
• LeBron James Over 30.5 Points (-115)

Picks made on 01/04/2022 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Today’s best NBA player props

Freddy's feelin' it

The Toronto Raptors are finally fully healthy and are starting to reap the benefits, winning two straight games and putting up at least 116 points in each. The catalyst for this offensive outburst has been point guard Fred VanVleet.

The stint in health and safety protocols didn’t seem to have any negative effects on Steady Freddy. VanVleet has gone for 30-plus points in his first two games back which includes shooting 11 for 26 from 3-point range.

VanVleet has actually been on a roll over his last four games dating back prior to his brief COVID-list stint, putting up at least 27 points in four straight games and averaging 31 over that span while going 23 for 50 (46%) from 3-point range.

Now, he faces a Spurs team that allows the second-most points to opposing guards and ranks 19th in opponent 3-point percentage. VanVleet’s point total seems a little low in this one.

Pick: Fred VanVleet Over 21.5 Points (-120 at FanDuel)

Solar flares

The Phoenix Suns shot themselves out of their mini-slump with a 133-99 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, and it’s safe to assume the Suns will continue to fire away in tonight’s matchup when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Pelicans' defense has been an issue all season, ranking 24th in defensive rating, but where they have really struggled is on the perimeter. The Pels rank next-to-last in the NBA when it comes to opponent 3-point shooting percentage and now they’ll have to deal with the likes of Devin Booker.

The Suns' guard has been on fire (sorry for the pun) from beyond the arc since returning from a hamstring injury, hitting 44.4 percent of his 7.9 attempts from deep per game. He has also hit three or more threes five times in the eight games since he’s been back. 

Booker looks like a good bet to improve on that number against a Pels defense that has struggled against strong shooters.

Pick: Devin Booker Over 2.5 Made Threes (-140 at FanDuel)

Only one King

LeBron James’ streak of consecutive 30-point games came to an end last time out but The King will have a chance to start a new streak when the Los Lakers Angeles Lakers host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

Despite putting up just 26 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves in his last game, there is no denying the groove James is in. He is averaging 34.8 points per game while shooting 56.8 percent from the floor over his last eight games.

James pulled a Magic Johnson and was the Lakers' starting center in that game against the Wolves, and he could feast on the inside if he does that again tonight against the Kings. Sacramento allows more points in the paint per game than any other team in NBA while ranking 24th in opponent field goal percentage.

Now, I normally stay away from LeBron props due to the fact they are usually juiced to the max. But with no Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook running with him, and the Kings' penchant for getting bullied in the paint, this number looks low enough to jump on the Over.

Pick: LeBron James Over 30.5 Points (-115 at FanDuel)

Pages related to this topic