To close out the week on a high note in the NBA player props market, we'll be isolating a single points, rebounds, and assists number for your consideration across the seven-game slate.
Here's a look at those three expert prop picks in question, including an assists prop for Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum at plus money (+102) as the Sacramento Kings pay a visit to TD Garden on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Jayson Tatum OVER 5.5 Assists vs. Kings (+102)
Preview: Sacramento Kings vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ET
It's actually quite rare for the five-man unit of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis to be competing together this season, but Friday's tilt with the Kings will be the latest instance in which they're all available.
This was also the case on Jan. 5 in a 13-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Tatum only registering a single assist in 39 minutes of action. That was more so due to the Celtics being unable to hit shots, converting 36.5 percent from the field and a miserable 19.6 percent from 3-point range. The superstar forward actually had 15 potential assists, so if a few more shots fall Boston's way, that single dime doesn't look nearly as bad.
We're using that for context to rationalize betting the OVER on 5.5 assists against Sacramento, since Tatum will have an elite arsenal surrounding him at full health with hopefully some improved efficiency. Sacramento ranks in the bottom-third of the league in opponent's assists on the road (27.5, 21st), and Tatum has reached an OVER in three of his last six appearances.
Guershon Yabusele OVER 7.5 Rebounds vs. Pelicans (+106)
Preview: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. ET
I was able to get in on the ground floor with this prop at plus money, as updated odds at FanDuel Sportsbook have since changed the number to as low as -120 for Guershon Yabusele to grab OVER 7.5 rebounds against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Wells Fargo Center.
Joel Embiid (foot) and Andre Drummond (toe) have both been ruled out due to injury, meaning the Frenchman will once again be receiving a ton of minutes as one of the few bigs still left standing on the Philadelphia 76ers. Yabusele is averaging 10.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists as a starter this season, and has reached an OVER on 7.5 boards in each of his last two appearances with the aforementioned bigs both absent.
New Orleans ranks fifth from the bottom in rebounds allowed to the opposition, so as long as Yabusele's minutes maintain (totalled over 30 in three of his last four outings), securing eight or more boards should come naturally.
Tristan Da Silva UNDER 9.5 Points vs. Bucks (-106)
Preview: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. ET
Even though Paolo Banchero is expected to be on a minutes restriction as he plays in his first game since Oct. 30 following a torn oblique, his mere presence will create enough of an impact on the players around him who've grown accustomed to his absence.
Someone who could regress statistically with Banchero back in rookie Tristan Da Silva, who was already in the midst of a bit of a cold streak. He's scored nine or fewer points in five of his last seven games, which includes a pair of goose eggs in which he didn't score a single point.
Da Silva's role should maintain, especially with Jalen Suggs now out with a back strain, but until we see some consistency or improvement, on top of how he'll fare with Banchero back in the picture, it's best to take any UNDER you can find.
