One look at the NBA standings confirms the gulf between the two conferences this year, and I’m focusing on the West with my picks tonight.
With 28 of the 30 teams in action, there’s no shortage of NBA player props to dig through, and the marquee matchups include the in-form Memphis Grizzlies against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets hosting the Phoenix Suns.
My top three prop picks for this action-packed December 23 slate put a spotlight on three frontcourt stars.
Best NBA player props today
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Randle Under 27.5 points + rebounds (-115 at bet365) -
Durant Over 31.5 points (-115 at bet365) -
Powell Over 23.5 points (-125 at bet365)
Picks made on 12-23 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
NBA player props for December 23
Prop bet #1: Julius Randle Under 27.5 points + rebounds
It’s been a rocky first two months for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Karl-Anthony Towns’ dominant return last week as a Knick likely didn’t help the mood at Target Center.
The Wolves have lost two in a row to slip to 14-13, but they get some friendly schedule luck with a clash tonight against an Atlanta Hawks team that could be without Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Even so, it’s tough to count on consistent numbers from this Minnesota roster, and I’m taking the Under on the Julius Randle points + rebounds combo prop. Randle has only gone past this number once in his past nine outings, and there tends to be a cap on his minutes as part of Minnesota's frontcourt rotation.
He scored 16 points on 4-for-13 shooting against the Warriors last time out, to go with seven rebounds, and this O/U could become an even bigger hurdle if Atlanta turns to smaller lineups.
If Young sits out again, there will be fewer weak spots to attack in Atlanta's perimeter defense. Fade Randle at State Farm Arena.
Prop bet #2: Kevin Durant Over 31.5 points
Kevin Durant is leading the charge for the Phoenix Suns while Devin Booker recovers from a groin injury, and he’s been in red-hot form in his last two games, shooting a combined 29-for-53 from the field on his way to 80 points.
He’s likely to see a lot of Aaron Gordon tonight, but there are other simpler matchups to pick at against the Denver Nuggets. KD can get his shot off against anyone, and he’ll have to be assertive to keep pace with a Nikola Jokic-led offense.
The 31.5 O/U line looks steep until you remember that Durant’s volume and minutes are really favorable for this Over, and he’s a master at forcing his way to the free-throw line — 11 of his 43 points came from the charity stripe against the Pistons on Saturday.
With Tyus Jones and Bradley Beal as capable setup men alongside him, I expect KD to be a thorn in Denver’s side as he tries to keep the Suns afloat heading into 2025.
Prop bet #3: Norman Powell Over 23.5 points
The Los Angeles Clippers are hanging around in a feisty playoff race in the West, and Norman Powell continues to do an admirable job with an increased offensive workload.
Powell has been on a particular roll this past week, with at least 28 points in three straight games, including an outstanding 12-for-16 shooting effort against the Utah Jazz last Tuesday.
He’s averaging 23.9 ppg this season while shooting almost 50% from the field, and there should be opportunities to attack tonight against a Memphis Grizzles team that’s playing great basketball but allowing 112.9 ppg.
Powell is in the Top 10 in 3-pointers per game (3.8) and ranks fourth in the NBA with a 47.2% mark from downtown. That’s a path to racking up points in a hurry, particularly with James Harden pulling the strings.
Until Kawhi Leonard returns, Powell is a good bet to lead the Clippers in shots, just as he did in L.A.’s loss to the Mavericks on Saturday. I’m buying into that kind of volume tonight.
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NBA odds today
Here are the full NBA odds for all of today’s matchups.
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