With the 2024 NBA Cup in-season tournament off until the weekend, the league returns with its regularly scheduled programming with a small slate of games for Thursday night, and I've dug up three high-upside player prop picks for your consideration.
Here's a look at why it's worth wagering on all three props, including a combination prop for rebounds and assists at plus money (+102) for Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo against the Toronto Raptors on December 12, 2024.
Bam Adebayo OVER 16.5 Rebounds + Assists vs. Raptors (+102)
Preview: Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET
Thursday marks the third meeting of the campaign between Toronto and Miami, with Adebayo averaging a near triple-double of 13.5 points, 15 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in 36.6 minutes of action across the first two outings.
He's hit the OVER on combined rebounds in rebounds and assists each time, totalling 20 in the Heat's 10-point victory at home on Nov. 29 and then 27 with a season-high 20 boards in Miami's three-point loss north of the border on Dec. 1. Adebayo's career high of 21 rebounds also came in a game with the Raptors back on Nov. 25, 2018.
Considering he's also reached the OVER on this number in three-straight games, six of his last seven, and eight of his last 10, it's clear at plus money that it's in the best interest of bettors to make a play here.
Tobias Harris OVER 18.5 Points + Rebounds vs. Celtics (-104)
Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ET
Continuing with the trend of combo props for Thursday's schedule, let's take a look at Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris who has some momentum in the points and rebounds market as of late, and especially against his opponent at TD Garden in the Boston Celtics.
Harris is averaging 17.7 points and seven boards through two games versus the reigning champions, with the 32-year-old veteran scoring a season-high 27 points in the most recent matchup on Dec. 10 in a 10-point road loss. Even with only eight points on Oct. 26 against Boston, Harris still managed to go OVER 18.5 combined points and boards with 11 rebounds, albeit barely.
He's connected on the OVER in three-straight games and four of his last five, so the time is now to tail Harris' production.
Herb Jones OVER 6.5 Rebounds + Assists vs. Kings (+102)
Preview: Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 8 p.m. ET
It's a small window to monitor for Herb Jones, as the New Orleans Pelicans forward only recently returned to the starting lineup on Dec. 5 following his recovery from a right shoulder strain, but what we've seen is promising for current and future props.
Jones has gone OVER 6.5 combined rebounds and assists in two of his three games since hitting the hardwood, going as high as 12 with seven boards and five dimes in his return against the Phoenix Suns. Taking on the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, Jones has gone OVER this number in four of his last five appearances against them.
With Brandon Ingram once again sidelined with an injured ankle, and Zion Williamson still out, Jones' minutes should remain high with plenty of opportunity to even stumble his way to further OVERs. He's low on the totem pole in New Orleans' pecking order as a scorer, which is why we're leaning towards other statistical categories for Jones.
