In the second full day of 2024 NBA Cup action with 24 of the Association's 30 teams taking the hardwood on Friday night, there's an abundance of player prop wagers just waiting for bettors to sink their teeth into. This includes a pair we'll spotlight here in which we'll be taking the OVER on assists with odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Here's a look at three player props which may not have jumped off the page at your favorite sportsbook, yet still warrant your strong consideration on November 15, 2024.
RJ Barrett UNDER 33.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-102)
The Toronto Raptors' opening in-season tournament matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks set offense back a century, with Toronto producing just 85 points while shooting under 35 percent from the field. RJ Barrett had by far his weakest performance of the young season, registering just seven points on 14 shot attempts to go with five turnovers and just two assists.
It was the first time in 2024-25 that Barrett failed to score at least 10 points in a game, but it was also the fifth-straight game that the Canadian wing went well below a prop of 33.5 points + rebounds + assists. Toronto remains without the likes of Scottie Barnes (orbital bone) and Immanuel Quickley (shoulder), so defenses taking Barrett out of the equation and forcing him into making bad decisions severely hinders what's already a decimated Raptors roster.
The Detroit Pistons rank fourth in opponent's rebounding (41.5) and 10th in opponent's assists (24.9) while also sitting a respectable 13th in defense (112.2 points allowed per 100 possessions). All signs point towards Barrett being held in check once again.
Brandon Ingram OVER 6.5 Assists (-102)
Like Toronto, but to a much worse extent, the New Orleans Pelicans have had the injury bug tear through their depth chart, and that's resulted in the team owning the worst record in the Western Conference at 3-9 SU.
With no Zion Williamson or Dejounte Murray by his side, the three-headed monster for the Pelicans is down to just a single weapon of choice in Brandon Ingram, who's leading the team in points (17.7), shot attempts (18), and assists (6.7) over the last three games.
He'll need seven or dimes against the Denver Nuggets at home on Friday to connect here, which he's accomplished only twice in his last five appearances. Denver, however, is allowing the most assists to opponents at 30.7, so while New Orleans' scoring options are dwindling, with so much focus likely being on Ingram, there should be a ton of chances to kick it out and hopefully rack up some assists.
Jalen Williams OVER 5.5 Assists (+102)
With Chet Holmgren out for the foreseeable future with a bad hip, Jalen Williams has become the undisputed No. 2 option on an Oklahoma City Thunder squad looking to preserve its top seed atop the West for as long as possible until their young big man returns.
Since Holmgren's injury, Williams has averaged 26.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in three games while knocking down half of his 3-point attempts. Like Ingram, we'll also be taking assists here for the 23-year-old forward when Oklahoma City hosts the visiting Phoenix Suns at the Paycom Center.
Williams had notched six or more assists in each of his last two games, and five of a possible 12 games this season. The latter fact is more enticing with his role expanding sans Holmgren. The Thunder are playing small-ball lineups and moving the rock at a faster and more efficient rate, providing more merit to this particular wager.
