Best Player Prop Bets for NBA Sunday Games (Dec. 19)
- Despite rising COVID-19 cases around the league, there’s a busy NBA schedule on Sunday evening
- Cleveland faces Atlanta in the highlight matchup of the day, while the depleted Bulls take on the Lakers
- Read below for the latest NBA player props and best bets
Sunday, December, 19th has a loaded slate of NBA games. Positive COVID-19 cases might have made betting tricky of late, and led to some cancellations, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to wager, and many of the league’s biggest stars should be taking to the hardwood on Sunday night.
Damian Lillard leads the Blazers against the Grizzlies in one of the 6pm ET tip-offs. Portland is five-point underdogs for the contest, while the Philadelphia 76ers are favored against the Pelicans. Joel Embiid is listed as day-to-day, as is Trae Young for Atlanta’s matchup with the Cavaliers.
The Lakers should have LeBron James and Russell Westbrook available to take on the COVID-hit Bulls, but Anthony Davis is out. Charlotte is back at full strength after a string of COVID absences — they face the Suns in Phoenix.
NBA Player Props – December 19th
| POR @ MEM | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Lillard (POR) | 25.5 (O -108 | U -112) | 4.5 (O -115 | U -105) | 8.5 (O -120 | U -102) | 3.5 (O -104 | U -122) |
| Norm Powell (POR) | 19.5 (O -112 | U -108) | 3.5 (O +104 | U -128) | 2.5 (O +106 | U -130) | 2.5 (O +134 | U -172) |
| Desmond Bane (MEM) | 19.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 5.5 (O +116 | U -144) | 3.5 (O +124 | U -152) | 2.5 (O -148 | U +116) |
| Jaren Jackson Jr (MEM) | 18.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 5.5 (O -115 | U -105) | OFF | 2.5 (O +150 | U -194) |
| SAS @ SAC | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
| Dejounte Murray (SAS) | 19.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 8.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 8.5 (O -106 | U -114) | 1.5 (O +164 | U -215) |
| Derrick White (SAS) | 17.5 (O -116 | U -106) | 4.5 (O +116 | U -142) | 4.5 (O -134 | U +110) | 1.5 (O -166 | U +130) |
| Keldon Johnson (SAS) | 15.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 6.5 (O +116 | U -142) | OFF | 1.5 (O +114 | U -146) |
| MIA @ DET | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
| Kyle Lowry (MIA) | 16.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 4.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 9.5 (O -130 | U +108) | 2.5 (O +124 | U -158) |
| Dewayne Dedmon (MIA) | 9.5 (O -112 | U -108) | 9.5 (O +102 | U -124) | OFF | OFF |
| NOP @ PHI | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
| Brandon Ingram (NOP) | 23.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 5.5 (O -112 | U -108) | 4.5 (O -110 | U -112) | 1.5 (O -200 | U +154) |
| Jonas Valanciunas (NOP) | 17.5 (O -120 | U -102) | 12.5 (O +104 | U -128) | 2.5 (O +100 | U -122) | OFF |
| CHA @ PHO | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
| LaMelo Ball (CHA) | 19.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 6.5 (O -105 | U -115) | 6.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 2.5 (O +124 | U -160) |
| Miles Bridges (CHA) | 17.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 6.5 (O -140 | U +114) | 3.5 (O +138 | U -170) | 1.5 (O +104 | U -132) |
| Gordon Hayward (CHA) | 16.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 4.5 (O -142 | U +116) | 3.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 1.5 (O -104 | U -122) |
| DAL @ MIN | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
| Kristaps Porzingis (DAL) | 22.5 (O -114 | U -108) | 8.5 (O -130 | U +108) | 2.5 (O +116 | U -142) | 2.5 (O +162 | U -110) |
| Jalen Brunson (DAL) | 18.5 (O -108 | U -114) | 4.5 (O -122 | U +100) | 7.5 (O +104 | U -128) | 1.5 (O +140 | U -180) |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 27.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 9.5 (O -114 | U -106) | 3.5 (O +110 | U -134) | 2.5 (O +114 | U -146) |
| D’Angelo Russell (MIN) | 22.5 (O -108 | U -112) | 3.5 (O -140 | U +114) | 6.5 (O -122 | U +100) | 3.5 (O +108 | U -138) |
| LAL @ CHI | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
| LeBron James (LAL) | 26.5 (O -118 | U -104) | 7.5 (O -140 | U +114) | 6.5 (O -140 | U +114) | 2.5 (O -132 | U +104) |
| Russell Westbrook (LAL) | 18.5 (O -122 | U +100) | 8.5 (O +100 | U -122) | 6.5 (O -120 | U -102) | 1.5 (O +164 | U -215) |
| DeMar DeRozan (CHI) | 27.5 (O -106 | U -118) | 5.5 (O -105 | U -115) | 5.5 (O +116 | U -142) | OFF |
| Nikola Vucevic (CHI) | 18.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 10.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 3.5 (O +106 | U -130) | 1.5 (O -136 | U +106) |
Odds as of Dec 19 at FanDuel
Derrick White Torches the Kings
The Kings have been hit by COVID. Their defense ranks in the bottom five in the league over the last 10. They are taking on a Spurs’ team with the third-best offense over that span, partly powered by the resurgent play of Derrick White and his backcourt mate Dejounte Murray.
White has scored 18 or more points in seven of his last 10 games. His three-point shot still isn’t falling, but the former 29th overall pick is posting career-best numbers in getting to and finishing at the rim.
The shooting touch has been evident on short mid-range looks, too. He’s shooting 72% on such shots in December.
Turns out the solution to Derrick White and Keldon Johnson’s rough start was just letting them play through it, and the same may be true for Lonnie Walker IV.
It was never gonna be instant oatmeal for this team, but the relatively quick progress has been notable.
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) December 18, 2021
Sacramento’s already porous defense is missing Davion Mitchell and Terence Davis. While De’Aaron Fox’s absence could prove beneficial on that end, the Kings are potentially without a lot of size with Alex Len and Marvin Bagley sidelined, and Richaun Holmes listed as questionable.
White is going to be able to attack off the bounce. He’ll get to the rim at will. His aggression has led to 21 free-throw attempts over the last three games, and Sacramento ranks in the bottom seven in free throws conceded.
Elite company! Giannis and KD are getting in on the Derrick White conversation 😤 pic.twitter.com/MTcbrAPA8Y
— Spurs Nation (@SpursNationCP) December 14, 2021
The 17.5 points line seems very low given this matchup and White’s recent performances. Take the over here — it’s worth it even if it nudges up to 18.5.
- Pick: Derrick White over 17.5 points (-116)
Offense Runs Through KAT
Karl-Anthony Towns has been responsible for some ugly turnovers this season. He’s turning it over 3.4 times per game in 2021-22. His assist number is the same.
There’s been a slight improvement of late, however, with Towns averaging 4.2 assists per game over his last six. He’s recorded four or more dimes in five of those six outings, and that’s what matters for this prop.
Scoring, passing, defending…and firing up his @Timberwolves teammates and fans.
KAT wired tonight on ESPN 🔊 pic.twitter.com/LPQ951ld1c
— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2021
Anthony Edwards is in health and safety protocols, freeing up more of the Timberwolves offense to run through Towns. The All-Star center sees his assist rate leap from 15.6% in minutes with Edwards to 23.8% in non-Edwards minutes. Towns is a talented, albeit sometimes reckless, passer.
Chris Finch will put the ball in his hands more often with Edwards unavailable, and just removing the possessions that result in an isolation from the sophomore guard opens up more assist opportunities for Towns.
Dallas is weakened, and is only a middling team in opponent assists per game. Towns has recorded four assists in each of his last three games, and he’s a good bet to reach that figure (or better) on Sunday night.
- Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns over 3.5 assists (+110)
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Sam Cox is a freelance writer and sports junkie, who has spent the past several years immersed in the online gaming industry. He has worked with 888sport, Oddschecker, and Colossus Bets to name a few. Based in the UK, Sam also runs Franchise Sports with his brother.
