Basketball fans are getting a strong slate of action after zero activity on Wednesday as all but four NBA teams will be taking the hardwood on Thursday night, so the options for player props across this slate are widespread and bountiful.
Here's a look at three player prop expert picks for your consideration, including a rare Ben Simmons prop against the Toronto Raptors on December 19 as he takes on a larger role following the departure of Dennis Schroder.
Ben Simmons To Record A Double-Double vs. Nets (+400)
Preview: Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET
Usually one would steer clear of anything associated with Simmons, whose injuries and inconsistent play over the years have lowered his stock considerably. However, there's a method to this madness, and it says more about the state of the Raptors than anything.
Jakob Poeltl has been ruled out for Thursday's tilt versus the visiting Brooklyn Nets, and that's a huge absence for Toronto as the 7-footer is far and away the team's strongest interior presence and defender. Scottie Barnes (ankle) has been listed as questionable, as well, but the best-case scenario is that he suits up and isn't 100 percent needing to shake off some rust after missing time to recover.
Simmons is now the new starting point guard for Brooklyn after the organization moved Schroder to the Golden State Warriors, and in his first game since reentering the lineup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the three-time All-Star recorded 10 points, eight assists, and four rebounds in a team-high 31 minutes. He's also averaging 14.1 points, 7.8 boards, and 7.2 dimes against the Raptors over his career, so as long as his role maintains, Simmons could stumble his way to a double-double that doesn't even require points.
Bilal Coulibaly OVER 22.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists vs. Hornets (+100)
Preview: Charlotte Hornets vs. Washington Wizards, 7 p.m. ET
Usually the correct approach would be to fade the Washington Wizards and roll with whoever was playing them on any given night, but in the right spots and in the right matchups, taking a flyer on a Wizards player like we are here could pay off.
Bilal Coulibaly is leading the team in points (21) and assists (five) over the last three outings, adding 5.3 rebounds to contribute to three-straight OVERs on a 22.5 PRA. He hasn't scored fewer than 17 points during this stretch, and that gets him close to the number on points alone, with the rebounds and assists creating some wiggle room to connect.
The 20-year-old wing didn't connect on this prop once in four tries last season against the Charlotte Hornets, but these are different times and we're riding the hot hand, albeit on the Association's coldest team.
Malik Monk OVER 9.5 Rebounds + Assists vs. Lakers (-102)
Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m. ET
Since joining the Sacramento Kings' starting unit on Dec. 1, Malik Monk has been averaging 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and a team-best 7.3 assists per contest.
His points won't be accounted for in this combined rebounds and assists prop, though, as removing scoring results in a larger payout. Monk has exceeded 9.5 for this prop in seven of his last 10 appearances, including three of his last four outings.
The Los Angeles Lakers allow shooting guards like Monk to register the fourth-most assists overall, adding some stability as to why this bet makes sense.
