NBA Player Props | Friday, Dec. 15
On this Friday, there are several rematches of games from earlier this week. I am eyeing two beginning with the Sixers hosting the Pistons in Philadelphia this time around. Tobias Harris has enjoyed facing his former team this season and could be in for another big night against them.
The Raptors and Hawks game was as advertised with 263 points on Wednesday night. Scottie Barnes had a big night with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. With a total of 244 points tonight, the fast pace could put Barnes in position to shine once again.
However, first let's begin in Washington where the Pacers will be visiting the Wizards. Bennedict Mathurin could be in for a big night off the bench.
In the table below, you'll find my top three NBA player prop picks for Friday, December 15 including bets for Bennedict Mathurin, Tobias Harris and Scottie Barnes. Click on any pick or team logo to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Time (ET) | Player Prop |
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Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | |
Pacers vs. Wizards
Bennedict Mathurin
Over 14.5 Points (-125)
The Indiana Pacers have eight players averaging in double figures this season. The third-leading scorer on the team is Bennedict Mathurin. The second-year guard is averaging 13.8 points per game on the year. While that is a point shy of what we need tonight, Mathurin has hit this line in three of his last five games, averaging 17 points per game in that span. He also was hooked on 14 points against the Bucks on Wednesday night.
Mathurin has enjoyed playing the Wizards in his young career. In five career games against the Wizards, Mathurin is averaging 16.4 points per game. He has scored in double figures in all five games and cleared this line in four of them. This season, most guards have enjoyed facing the Wizards.
Recently, Jalen Suggs (twice), Trey Murphy, De'Anthony Melton, Tyrese Maxey (twice), and Cade Cunningham have all cleared their points lines against the Wizards. We cashed on Suggs along with Tyler Herro earlier this year. Many of them cleared their lines by five points or more.
If Mathurin joins that group, that would mean a 20-point performance for him. Mathurin has scored 20 points three times this season, including 30 points against the Pistons on Monday night. You can take him for 20 points at +170 and 25 points at +550.
Pick: Bennedict Mathurin Over 14.5 Points (-125)
Pistons vs. 76ers
Tobias Harris
Over 14.5 Points (-115)
Just like Mathurin enjoyed a big night against the Pistons, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris have all topped 20 points against the Pistons this season. Maxey was off on Wednesday while Embiid scored 41 points in essentially three quarters. Harris has scored 20 points in both meetings and offers the most value in my opinion so I am backing him tonight.
Prior to Wednesday's game, Harris was in a bit of a slump. He failed to score 15 points in six consecutive games. However, Harris is still averaging 17 points per game this season. He has scored 15 in 14-of-23 games (61%) this season. However, Harris' eyes light up when he gets to go against his former team. He is averaging 17.6 points per game in his last five games against Detroit and he has cleared this line in three of them with 14 points in another.
The Pistons are currently without Jalen Duren, which means Isaiah Stewart slides over to the five. Stewart has a difficult matchup with Joel Embiid, but it also means that Bojan Bogdanovic is at the four. Bogdanovic has been a big boost to Detroit's spacing, but Harris is a difficult assignment for him.
Harris scored 21 points against the Pistons on Wednesday and he also scored 24 points against the Pistons last month. We only need 15 from him to clear this line. However, you can also take him for 20 points at +300 on DraftKings.
Pick: Tobias Harris Over 14.5 Points (-115)
Hawks vs. Raptors
Scottie Barnes
Over 14.5 Rebounds + Assists (132)
Scottie Barnes has enjoyed a lot of success against the Hawks in his young career, but particularly over the last five meetings. In his last five games against the Hawks, Barnes has hit this line in four of them. He has averaged 16 rebounds and assists combined in that span. With 10 rebounds and six assists on Wednesday, he hit that averaged right on the nose.
The Raptors are just 21st in pace this season, but the Hawks are third so they will look to speed the game up. Despite their more deliberate pace, Toronto is second in the league in fast break points per game this season. That works perfectly for this line. Barnes can pull down a rebound and go and pick a rebound and assist before the Hawks can set their defense.
When their defense is set, it is not great in general. The Hawks are 27th in defensive rating, 22nd in rebounds allowed, and 29th in assists allowed per game. Additionally, the Hawks are allowing the most assists per game to small forwards this season, per FantasyPros. Barnes is improving as a playmaker every season and has had six assists in six of his last 10 games.
Barnes has also had 10 rebounds in six of his last 10 games, hitting this line in six of those games as well. Considering his track record against the Hawks, I expect that trend to continue tonight.
Pick: Scottie Barnes Over 14.5 Rebounds + Assists (132)
