It's a gargantuan slate of NBA games on Monday night as all but two teams are taking the hardwood ahead of the highly-anticipated Christmas Day schedule. This means the choices for bettors of player props are seemingly limitless, as rarely are this many teams competing on the same day.
Here are three player prop expert picks to consider, including one for Karl-Anthony Towns at plus money (+102) when the Toronto Raptors pay a visit to Madison Square Garden on December 23, 2024.
Karl-Anthony Towns OVER 3.5 Assists vs. Raptors (+102)
Preview: Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Not usually known for his passing chops, Towns has been delivering the goods on the assists prop market as of late with big production in that department. After missing a game against the Detroit Pistons on December 7 with a right knee ailment, the four-time All-Star has averaged 5.2 assists (second on the New York Knicks) over his last five appearances.
One of those games just so happened to be against the same Raptors Towns will be seeing on Monday, registering six assists in 35 minutes of action north of the border on December 9. Needing just four dimes to reach an OVER here, Towns has accomplished that in each of those aforementioned five matchups and 10 of his last 15 overall.
Toronto also ranks dead last in assists allowed to opposing centers this season at 5.26, and starting big man Jakob Poeltl could be out once again as he continues to deal with a strained groin.
Payton Pritchard OVER 12.5 Points vs. Magic (-108)
Preview: Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. ET
We'll get into the Orlando Magic's ever-growing list of injuries in just a second, but just taking into account Payton Pritchard's numbers away from the TD Garden, this bet feels like a slam dunk for the current odds leader for Sixth Man of the Year honors.
Pritchard is averaging 17 points on 49.3 percent shooting and 46.4 percent from behind the arc in 13 road appearances, and has hit the OVER on 12.5 points in 10 of those games. The backup point guard has finished with 13 or more points in nine of his last 11 outings overall, averaging 18.3 points during that span.
And yes, the Magic are without Paolo Banchero (oblique), Franz Wagner (oblique), and now Moritz Wagner (ACL) on Monday, meaning Pritchard could be in store for extended minutes if the Boston Celtics pull away early.
Jalen Duren OVER 9.5 Rebounds vs. Lakers (+108)
Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Los Angeles Lakers rank 23rd in the Association in opponent's rebounds per game at 45.6, and they allow the second-most boards to opposing centers at 16.5 per contest. Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren only needed 24 minutes versus Los Angeles on Nov. 4 to finish with an 11-point, 14-rebound double-double.
Duren has finished with 10 or more rebounds in two of his last three games, and barring the Lakers blowing out out Detroit or the 6-foot-10 five man getting into early foul trouble, he should be able to snag at least that many on Monday against Los Angeles' relatively undersized frontcourt.
