Upcoming Match-ups

December 22 NBA Props – Best Player Prop Bets for Wednesday Games

Sam Cox

by Sam Cox in NBA Basketball

Updated Dec 22, 2021 · 6:19 AM PST

Dec 18, 2021; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; LA Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Darius Bazley (7) during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
  • Six NBA games are scheduled for December 22nd 
  • Even amid a league-wide Covid outbreak, plenty of stars are in action
  • Read below for the latest NBA player props and best bets

Wednesday night’s NBA slate features six games. The league’s decision to power through this Covid outbreak is leading to some strange lineups, provoking some interesting player prop decisions. Such is the uncertainty right now, odds availability is patchy across the schedule, particularly among teams with several Covid cases.

There’s still a lot to get stuck into here, though. Absent stars provide opportunities for lesser-known players, and several franchises are having to bolster their roster with G-League signings. Cleveland is one such example, with the Cavs priced as 5.5-point underdogs for their matchup with Boston. Jarrett Allen, Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley headline a group of players in health and safety protocols.

Toronto is missing the majority of its rotation for their game with Chicago, while the Sacramento Kings are still depleted for their contest with the Clippers.

NBA Player Props – December 22nd

CLE @ BOS Points Rebounds Assists Three Pointers Made
Darius Garland (CLE) 21.5 (O +100 | U -122) 3.5 (O -142 | U +116) 7.5 (O +114 | U -140) 2.5 (O +144 | U -186)
Lauri Markkanen (CLE) 15.5 (O -120 | U -102) 6.5 (O +104 | U -128) OFF 2.5 (O +144 | U -186)
Jayson Tatum (BOS) 28.5 (O -120 | U -102) 8.5 (O +104 | U -128) 4.5 (O +100 | U -122) 3.5 (O +136 | U -174)
Jaylen Brown (BOS) 21.5 (O -110 | U -110) 5.5 (O -110 | U -110) 2.5 (O -142 | U +116) 2.5 (O -106 | U -120)
ORL @ ATL Points Rebounds Assists Three Pointers Made
John Collins (ATL) 20.5 (O -108 | U -114) 9.5 (O -108 | U -112) 2.5 (O +108 | U -132) 1.5 (O -106 | U -120)
Kevin Huerter (ATL) 13.5 (O -112 | U -108) 4.5 (O +122 | U -150) 4.5 (O +110 | U -134) 2.5 (O +106 | U -136)
HOU @ MIL Points Rebounds Assists Three Pointers Made
Jrue Holiday (MIL) 19.5 (O -116 | U -104) 5.5 (O +118 | U -144) 7.5 (O -106 | U -114) 1.5 (O -108 | U -115)
Khris Middleton (MIL) 21.5 (O -108 | U -114) 6.5 (O +110 | U -134) 5.5 (O +116 | U -142) 2.5 (O +118 | U -150)
Eric Gordon (HOU) 14.5 (O -118 | U -104) OFF 3.5 (O -106 | U -114) 2.5 (O +132 | U -170)
DEN @ OKC Points Rebounds Assists Three Pointers Made
Nikola Jokic (DEN) 28.5 (O -118 | U -104) 13.5 (O -112 | U -108) 8.5 (O +118 | U -144) 1.5 (O -113 | U -113)
Will Barton (DEN) 15.5 (O -112 | U -108) 5.5 (O +118 | U -144) 3.5 (O -130 | U +106) 2.5 (O -106 | U -120)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) 21.5 (O -120 | U -102) 4.5 (O -105 | U -115) 4.5 (O -115 | U -105) 2.5 (O +158 | U -205)
Luguentz Dort (OKC) 17.5 (O -122 | U +100) 3.5 (O -152 | U +124) OFF 2.5 (O -188 | U +146)
LAC @ SAC Points Rebounds Assists Three Pointers Made
Paul George (LAC) 25.5 (O -112 | U -108) 7.5 (O +114 | U -140) 5.5 (O +100 | U -122) 2.5 (O +102 | U -130)
Reggie Jackson (LAC) 17.5 (O -122 | U +100) 3.5 (O +114 | U -140) 3.5 (O -144 | U +118) 2.5 (O +130 | U -166)
Terance Mann (LAC) 12.5 (O +100 | U -122) 5.5 (O -128 | U +104) 2.5 (O +128 | U -158) 0.5 (O -230 | U +176)

Odds as of Dec 22 at FanDuel

Collins Dominates Without Young & Capela

The Atlanta Hawks had their last game called off. They are well-rested for this matchup with the Magic, who are without a glut of rotation players. The frontcourt is especially weakened with Wendell Carter Jr. listed as questionable and Mo Wagner and Mo Bamba both in protocols.

Orlando could be relying heavily on Robin Lopez. While Lopez is coming off a 20-point game against the Nets, and he’s got size, he’s not exactly the ideal matchup for these Hawks.

YouTube video

Atlanta has the quickest pace in the league over the last five games. They are missing Trae Young and Clint Capela for this one, but this a roster with plenty of depth despite their absentees, and opportunities should open up for role players. One such player is John Collins, who should get a lot of minutes at the five with Capela out.

Collins is a strong roller, and he will replace Capela as the screen and lob threat against the Magic on Wednesday night. Lopez doesn’t have the athleticism to stay near Collins, particularly if the Hawks get out and run.

There will be far more rebounding opportunities without Capela. Collins’ rebounding rate increases to 15.6% in non-Capela minutes compared to 12% when they share the floor. His usage leaps from 17% with Young and Capela to 24.9% in 98 minutes without them.

YouTube video

Collins is going to rebound and score more even if he shares the floor with Gorgui Dieng and Onyeka Okongwu at times. The 30.5 points and rebounds line might look high given his season numbers, but Orlando’s frontcourt shortage and the makeup of the Hawks’ roster on Wednesday suggests a big night for Collins.

Pick: Over 30.5 points and rebounds (-108)

Mann Does the Little Things

Terance Mann has recorded nine or more rebounds and assists in five of his last six games. He’s been incredibly productive for Ty Lue since getting added to the starting five against Boston.

Mann is averaging a team-high 35.3 minutes per outing over that span, along with 7.3 boards and 2.7 assists. Paul George’s return for the blowout loss to San Antonio didn’t lead to a decrease in Mann’s minutes or his output with four rebounds, five assists and a steal.

Sacramento ranks 27th in defensive rebounding rate. Mann is a specialist at sneaking in for offensive boards – Jae’Sean Tate, Kenrich Williams, Nassir Little and Javonte Green are the only non-bigs with a better offensive rebounding rate.

Both of these teams rank in the top 11 in pace for the season. Mann can push it up the court in transition and pick up a few easy assists, and this Kings team is vulnerable to his knack on the glass.

We’re taking the over here, and it would even be tempting at 9.5. It’s impossible to resist this at plus odds.

  • Pick: Terance Mann over 8.5 rebounds and assists (+106)
Author Image