January 1st NBA Player Props – Best Bets on New Year’s Day
- There are six games on the schedule for Saturday, January 1st
- The top matchup has the Golden State Warriors visiting the Utah Jazz
- Let’s take a look at the best prop bets on New Year’s Day
Six games are on tap on New Year’s Day in the NBA, including one between two of the top teams in the league.
The Golden State Warriors (27-7) visit the Utah Jazz (26-9) at 9:10 pm ET at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. The Warriors have the best record in the league and Jazz are third in the overall standings.
Utah brings a six-game winning streak into the game after beating the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves 120-108 on Friday night. The Warriors lost to the Denver Nuggets 89-86 at home Tuesday to end a three-game winning streak.
The Jazz are 4.5-point favorites and the over/under is set at 222.5 points.
January 1st NBA Player Props
| NO vs MIL | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-pointers made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) | 29.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 10.5 (O -115 | U -105) | 5.5 (O -122 | U +100) | 1.5 (O +142 | U -184) |
| Jrue Holiday (MIL) | 18.5 (O -102 | U -120) | 4.5 (O +108 | U -132) | 7.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 1.5 (O -128 | U +100) |
| Bobby Portis (MIL) | 16.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 7.5 (O -138 | U +112) | OFF | 1.5 (O -150 | U +118) |
| Grayson Allen (MIL) | 9.5 (O -126 | U +102) | 2.5 (O +104 | U -128) | OFF | 2.5 (O +140 | U -180) |
| CHI vs WAS | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-pointers made |
| DeMar DeRozan (CHI) | 25.5 (O -108 | U -114) | 4.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 5.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 0.5 (O -146 | U +114) |
| Zach LaVine (CHI) | 24.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 4.5 (O -122 | U +100) | 5.5 (O -108 | U +132) | 3.5 (O +124 | U -160) |
| Nikola Vucevic (CHI) | 18.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 11.5 (O -128 | U +104) | 3.5 (O +114 | U -140) | 1.5 (O -196 | U +152) |
| Bradley Beal (WAS) | 26.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 4.5 (O -118 | U -104) | 7.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 1.5 (O -180 | U +138) |
| Kyle Kuzma (WAS) | 16.5 (O -108 | U -112) | 7.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 3.5 (O -102 | U -118) | 1.5 (O -170 | U +132) |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (WAS) | 12.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 3.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 2.5 (O +138 | U -170) | 2.5 (O +140 | U -180) |
| LAC vs BKN | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-pointers made |
| Kevin Durant (BKN) | 28.5 (O -108 | U -114) | 7.5 (O +108 | U -132) | 5.5 (O +116 | U -142) | 1.5 (O -180 | U +140) |
| James Harden (BKN) | 25.5 (O -114 | U -108) | 8.5 (O -114 | U -106) | 10.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 2.5 (O -113 | U -113) |
| DEN vs HOU | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-pointers made |
| Christian Wood (HOU) | 19.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 10.5 (O -110 | U -110) | OFF | 1.5 (O -122 | U -104) |
| Jalen Green (HOU) | 15.5 (O -102 | U -120) | 2.5 (O -158 | U +128) | 2.5 (O +130 | U -160) | 2.5 (O +134 | U -172) |
| Kevin Porter Jr. (HOU) | 14.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 4.5 (O +108 | U -132) | 5.5 (O -118 | U -104) | 2.5 (O +158 | U -205) |
| GS vs UTA | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-pointers made |
| Stephen Curry (GS) | 28.5 (O -114 | U -108) | 4.5 (O -134 | U +110) | 6.5 (O +120 | U -148) | 5.5 (O +128 | U -164) |
Odds as of January 1st at FanDuel
Hard Minutes for Harden
James Harden has been carrying a heavy load for the shorthanded Brooklyn Nets since returning from a four-game absence while in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
In his three games since coming back, Harden has logged 39, 40 and 40 minutes. He had played as many as 39 minutes just 11 times in 26 games this season before sitting out.
Harden has been very productive since his return on Christmas Day, averaging 36.0 points, 11.7 assists and 10.7 rebounds a game. He has had two triple-doubles in that span.
James Harden: 33 PTS, 14 REB, 10 AST
Kevin Durant: 33 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST@KDTrey5 & @JHarden13 are two of the leagues scariest players to guard! pic.twitter.com/GHhZh3ttgh— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2021
The Nets host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.
However, it is easy to wonder if Harden isn’t going to start feeling the effects of so much playing time. Though Harden is still one of the NBA’s top players, he is also 32 years old.
The Clippers are fourth in the NBA in defensive rating. Look for a combination of the Clippers and fatigue to show Harden down.
- The Pick: James Harden under 25.5 points (-108)
Blowout Could Slow Giannis
The Milwaukee Bucks have had the luxury of easing Giannis Antetokounmpo back into action since he missed five games while in the protocols. The superstar has played 30, 30 and 31 minutes in his first three games since being activated.
Like Harden, Antetokounmpo has hit the ground running. The Greek Freak has averages of 32.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists following his return. Those numbers are aligned with his season averages of 27.6, 11.4 and 5.8.
🇬🇷 @Giannis_An34 went off for 33 PTS, including 16 PTS in the fourth-quarter to propel the @Bucks to their 5th straight win! pic.twitter.com/1WKuQBdtWE
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2021
The Bucks host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night and are 11.5-point favorites.
While the Pelicans are just 24th in the league in defensive rating, what might keep Antetokounmpo’s numbers down is the Bucks winning in a blowout. If Milwaukee does take control early, look for coach Mike Budenholzer to get his best player some extra rest.
- The Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo under 29.5 points (-110)
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John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
