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NBA Betting Cheat Sheet Today – Thursday, December 18th

Props Staff

Props Staff

Last updated: December 18, 2025

NBA Betting Cheat Sheet Today – Get our top analysis and picks for today – Thursday, Dec. 18

We’re breaking down everything you need to know before you make any NBA bets or set your DFS lineups. We’re talking the best game environments where points will be flying, the hottest NBA injury news that’s moving lines and opening up value, and the best expert player prop picks for tonight’s action. All that and more in our NBA Betting Cheat Sheet today – Thursday, December 18th, featuring the best free player prop bets and pick’em plays.

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NBA Betting Cheat Sheet Today – Thursday, December 18th

Our NBA betting cheat sheet is your one-stop snapshot to cut through the noise and zero in on where the edges actually are. Our team is here to break it down. Let’s get into it.

Check out some popular NBA player props on Underdog:

Popular NBA Props on Underdog for Thursday, December 18th.

TOP NBA DFS GAMES

Which games are shaping up to be DFS and sports betting goldmines?

Jazz vs Lakers

  • Slate-high 244 game total
  • Lauri Markkanen is questionable for Utah–could open the door for a huge Keyonte George game
  • If the game stays close, Luka Doncic could feast against a porous defense

Hawks vs Hornets

  • 239 Game Total, 5.5-point spread
  • Trae Young back (possibly limited), LaMelo Ball questionable
  • Like Brandon Miller > 19.5 points regardless, close spread, high total.

Check out more of our NBA player props content for the 2025 season. As always, it’s 100% FREE:

NBA Injuries For Thursday, December 18th

Injuries are a big part of any NBA betting cheat sheet. Today’s slate is littered with them.

Check out some NBA injuries today via Underdog (as of Thursday morning):

There are a ton of other injury situations we’ll need to monitor. Here are some big ones:

  • Knicks: If any combination of KAT, OG, or Josh Hart sit, Brunson, Bridges, and Clarkson could get huge boosts.
  • Hornets: Sexton and Mann are out, which makes Brandon Miller very interesting. if LaMelo (Q) sits, wheels up for Miller.
  • Heat: Tyler Herro is out, and Norman Powell is questionable. Miami is very thin, without Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson as well. Powell could be called upon to take on a huge scoring output, but if he’s out, keep an eye on Andrew Wiggins and Jaimie Jaquez, who were unreal earlier this year. The matchup is fantastic against the lowly Nets, which is why this is a very significant situation to keep tabs on. UPDATE: Norman Powell has been upgraded to probable!
  • Clippers: No James Harden tonight. Massive bump to Kawhi Leonard and company.
  • Bucks: Kyle Kuzma, Cole Anthony, AJ Green are all questionable; Giannis remains OUT. Bobby Portis could be a big winner if Kuzma sits, while Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins continue to be a big part of the MIL rotation.
  • Mavericks: AD, Brandon Williams, and D’Angelo Russell are all questionable. If both guards sit, it’s Ryan Nembhard to the moon. If AD (and others) are out, P.J. Washington and Cooper Flagg continue to be the offense. UPDATE (11:50 a.m. EST): Anthony Davis NOT seen at shootaround.
  • Jazz: Lauri Markkanen has been ruled out.

NBA Live Player Prop Odds

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Player
Alperen Sengün
C HOU @ DEN
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Amen Thompson
SG HOU @ DEN
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Bruce Brown
SG HOU @ DEN
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Cameron Johnson
PF HOU @ DEN
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Jabari Smith Jr.
PF HOU @ DEN
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Jamal Murray
PG HOU @ DEN
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Jonas Valančiūnas
C HOU @ DEN
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Josh Okogie
SG HOU @ DEN
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Kevin Durant
PF HOU @ DEN
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Nikola Jokić
C HOU @ DEN
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Peyton Watson
SF HOU @ DEN
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Reed Sheppard
PG HOU @ DEN
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Spencer Jones
PF HOU @ DEN
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Steven Adams
C HOU @ DEN
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Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF HOU @ DEN
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Andrew Nembhard
PG IND @ NO
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Anfernee Simons
SG BOS @ TOR
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Anthony Davis
C DAL @ PHI
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Bennedict Mathurin
SG IND @ NO
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Brandon Ingram
SF BOS @ TOR
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Brandon Williams
PG DAL @ PHI
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Collin Murray-Boyles
PF BOS @ TOR
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Cooper Flagg
PF DAL @ PHI
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Derik Queen
C IND @ NO
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Derrick White
SG BOS @ TOR
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Herbert Jones
SF IND @ NO
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Immanuel Quickley
PG BOS @ TOR
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Isaiah Jackson
PF IND @ NO
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Jakob Poeltl
C BOS @ TOR
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Jamal Shead
PG BOS @ TOR
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Jay Huff
C IND @ NO
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Jaylen Brown
SG BOS @ TOR
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Jeremiah Fears
PG IND @ NO
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Joel Embiid
C DAL @ PHI
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Jordan Walsh
SF BOS @ TOR
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Naji Marshall
SF DAL @ PHI
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Neemias Queta
C BOS @ TOR
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Ochai Agbaji
SG BOS @ TOR
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Pascal Siakam
PF IND @ NO
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Paul George
SF DAL @ PHI
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Payton Pritchard
PG BOS @ TOR
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P.J. Washington
PF DAL @ PHI
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Quentin Grimes
SG DAL @ PHI
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Saddiq Bey
PF IND @ NO
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Sam Hauser
SF BOS @ TOR
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Scottie Barnes
SF BOS @ TOR
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T.J. McConnell
PG IND @ NO
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Trey Murphy III
SF IND @ NO
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Tyrese Maxey
PG DAL @ PHI
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VJ Edgecombe
SG DAL @ PHI
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Zion Williamson
PF IND @ NO
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Ausar Thompson
SG CHA @ DET
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Brandon Miller
SF CHA @ DET
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Cade Cunningham
PG CHA @ DET
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Caris LeVert
SF CHA @ DET
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Duncan Robinson
SG CHA @ DET
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Isaiah Stewart
PF CHA @ DET
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Jalen Duren
C CHA @ DET
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Kon Knueppel
SG CHA @ DET
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LaMelo Ball
PG CHA @ DET
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Miles Bridges
SF CHA @ DET
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Moussa Diabaté
PF CHA @ DET
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Ryan Kalkbrenner
C CHA @ DET
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Sion James
SG CHA @ DET
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Tobias Harris
SF CHA @ DET
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Alexandre Sarr
PF WAS @ MEM
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Bilal Coulibaly
SG WAS @ MEM
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Brandon Clarke
PF WAS @ MEM
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Cam Spencer
SG WAS @ MEM
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Cedric Coward
SG WAS @ MEM
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CJ McCollum
PG WAS @ MEM
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Jaren Jackson Jr.
PF WAS @ MEM
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Jaylen Wells
SF WAS @ MEM
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Jock Landale
C WAS @ MEM
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SG WAS @ MEM
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Khris Middleton
SF WAS @ MEM
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Kyshawn George
SF WAS @ MEM
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Santi Aldama
PF WAS @ MEM
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Brandin Podziemski
SG PHO @ GS
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Buddy Hield
SF PHO @ GS
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Collin Gillespie
Collin Gillespie
PHO PG PHO @ GS
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De'Anthony Melton
SG PHO @ GS
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Devin Booker
Devin Booker
PHO SG PHO @ GS
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Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks
PHO SF PHO @ GS
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Draymond Green
PF PHO @ GS
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Grayson Allen
Grayson Allen
PHO SF PHO @ GS
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Jimmy Butler III
SF PHO @ GS
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Jordan Goodwin
Jordan Goodwin
PHO PG PHO @ GS
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Mark Williams
Mark Williams
PHO C PHO @ GS
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Moses Moody
SG PHO @ GS
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Oso Ighodaro
Oso Ighodaro
PHO PF PHO @ GS
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Quinten Post
C PHO @ GS
Today 8:30 PM ET
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Royce O'Neale
Royce O'Neale
PHO PF PHO @ GS
Today 8:30 PM ET
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Stephen Curry
PG PHO @ GS
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Ace Bailey
SF ORL @ UTA
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Anthony Black
PG ORL @ UTA
Today 9:30 PM ET
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Desmond Bane
SG ORL @ UTA
Today 9:30 PM ET
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Jusuf Nurkić
C ORL @ UTA
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Keyonte George
SG ORL @ UTA
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Kyle Filipowski
C ORL @ UTA
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Paolo Banchero
PF ORL @ UTA
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Svi Mykhailiuk
SF ORL @ UTA
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Tyus Jones
PG ORL @ UTA
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Wendell Carter Jr.
C ORL @ UTA
Today 9:30 PM ET
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DeMar DeRozan
SF POR @ SAC
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Deni Avdija
SF POR @ SAC
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Dennis Schröder
PG POR @ SAC
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Donovan Clingan
C POR @ SAC
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Jerami Grant
PF POR @ SAC
Today 10:00 PM ET
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Keegan Murray
PF POR @ SAC
Today 10:00 PM ET
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Keon Ellis
SG POR @ SAC
Today 10:00 PM ET
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Maxime Raynaud
C POR @ SAC
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Precious Achiuwa
PF POR @ SAC
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Robert Williams III
C POR @ SAC
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Russell Westbrook
PG POR @ SAC
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Shaedon Sharpe
SG POR @ SAC
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Toumani Camara
SF POR @ SAC
Today 10:00 PM ET
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Bogdan Bogdanović
SG LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Ivica Zubac
C LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Jake LaRavia
PF LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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James Harden
SG LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Jarred Vanderbilt
SF LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Jaxson Hayes
C LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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John Collins
PF LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Kawhi Leonard
SF LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Kris Dunn
PG LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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LeBron James
SF LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Luka Dončić
PG LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Marcus Smart
PG LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Nicolas Batum
PF LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Rui Hachimura
PF LAL @ LAC
Today 10:30 PM ET
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Showing 5 of 131

Free NBA DFS Picks Cheat Sheet For 12/18

Our NBA betting cheat sheet today is ready to roll!

Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. See assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for details. Offer not valid in MD, MI, OH, and PA. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)

BEST POINTS PROP

  • NBA Player Prop: Michael Porter Jr. > 25.5 Points

Justin Carlucci wrote about MPJ for our best NBA player props page. Check it out. Porter has a monster usage rate this year. He’ coming off one bad game (blowout), but the Heat could be VERY thin tonight due to injuries.

  • NBA Player Prop: P.J. Washington > 14.5 Points

Late add here, with AD not seen at shootaround, Washington should be a focal point of the offense tonight, assuming Davis sits. Without Davis, Washington averaged 0.53 points per minute. Tough matchup, but a possible huge usage game incoming.

BEST REBOUNDS PROP

  • NBA Player Prop: Chet Holmgren > 8.5 Rebounds

A blowout is my biggest fear. However, Isaiah Hartenstein is out for tonight, and Holmgren will surely be needed to play some more minutes at center. Holmgren might not play 36 minutes, but he averages another 1.43 rebounds per 36 without Hartenstein on the floor this year. That’s .32 rebounds per minute; if he plays 30 minutes, he should clear 8.5 boards.

BEST ASSISTS PROP

  • NBA Player Prop: Kevin Porter Jr. > 6.5 Assists

Porter is averaging a tick over 17 potential assists per game across his last five contests, which is up from his season average. Porter averages over 8 assists per 36 minutes without Giannis Antetokounmp on the floor this season.

UNDERDOG FANTASY POINTS PICK

Underdog Fantasy Pick: Luka Doncic > 62.65 Fantasy Points

Tough to ignore Luka with Austin Reaves out. This game has a strong chance of staying competitive and features a high 242.5 point total, and we expect another monster showing from Doncic.

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