Bryan Armetta shares his three favorite player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday’s ten-game NBA slate.
Ten games between 20 teams are in store for NBA fans on Friday. Such a loaded slate means star power as well, with several contenders taking the floor. A week following Christmas, this is usually where the sport’s best clubs gain some distance from the rest.
Which players should bettors consider backing tonight? Here are my three favorite NBA player prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday’s contests.
Top NBA prop bet picks
Luke Kornet 18+ points + rebounds (-111)
Victor Wembanyama (knee) will miss tonight’s game against the Pacers. That leaves more minutes than usual for center Luke Kornet. The veteran center was the biggest splash of the summer for San Antonio. Through 25 games this season, he’s averaging 8.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. In a reserve role with limited playing time, those are respectable numbers. The 30-year-old has played more than 28 minutes in only four of his 25 appearances.
As previously mentioned, the Spurs will travel to Indianapolis on Friday. The Pacers are a mess, especially down low. They are currently allowing the most rebounds (57.9) and sixth-most points in the paint (53.3) per game to opponents. Kornet is, if nothing else, opportunistic on offense. A guard-heavy San Antonio roster should find the big man for several lobs in this one. A similar performance tonight, with Wemby injured, is more than likely.
Miles McBride 10+ points (-123)
Tyler Kolek’s recent breakout was a massive boon for the Knicks. Still, the team’s best ball handler not named Jalen Brunson is still Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride. New York’s sixth man is the ultimate spark-plug, offering stellar play on both ends of the floor. This season, the guard has recorded 12.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. In addition, he’s shooting at a solid 45% clip from the field (44% 3PT).
McBride missed multiple weeks in December due to an ankle sprain. In his two games since returning, the 25-year-old has tallied at least 14 points. His production is buoyed by the continued absence of Josh Hart (ankle), already ruled out for tonight’s matchup. The Hawks are a mess on defense, surrendering the seventh-most points (120.1) per game to opponents. Keeping that in mind, McBride can easily reach double-digits on Friday.
Chet Holmgren 9+ rebounds (-135)
The Thunder have enjoyed great success with their double-big lineup over the past two seasons. However, they won’t have that luxury on Friday with Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) sidelined. In the center’s absence, Chet Holmgren will likely slide down to the five. It’s not as if the Gonzaga alum can’t handle the paint, especially at 7’1″. This season, he’s posted 18.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Expect even more boards tonight with less internal competition from any OKC teammates.
What makes the Thunder such a difficult team to bet on is their propensity for blowouts. Mark Daigneault gets to rest his starters more than any other head coach in basketball. Regardless, I’m willing to bet Steph Curry’s Warriors keep things somewhat close on Friday. Golden State will be missing Draymond Green (rest), leaving an already undersized front court vulnerable. In comparison, Holmgren has snagged at least nine boards in each of his previous four contests. Expect more of the same from the 23-year-old this evening. Consider playing this total up to ten rebounds (+119).
