NBA Player Props Today | Saturday, Jan. 6
The first Saturday of 2024 features four games on the docket. There are two NBA player props for Saturday, Jan. 6, that stand out as my expert bets. Tonight, I'll be targeting two assist props for Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton.
| Time (ET) | Player Prop |
|---|---|
| 7:00 p.m. | |
| 7:00 p.m. | |
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. | |
After beating the 76ers by a comfortable 36-point margin last night, the Knicks will have a great chance for their fourth consecutive win against the Wizards tonight. They are 8.5-point road favorites, implied for 123.5 points. This is the best matchup for any opposing player. The Wizards rank dead last in defensive rating at 121.7 and second in pace.
Expect a flurry of offensive opportunities for the Knicks led by point guard Jalen Brunson. In his second year with the Knicks, Brunson is averaging a career-high in points and assists this season. One of the highest props in our prop model tonight is Brunson's over over 7.5 assists. We have his projection at 9.1 assists, which is well over his prop line.
Ever since the Knicks acquired OG Anunoby and traded away RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, Brunson has become an assist merchant. In his last three games, he is averaging 17.3 potential assists and 9.7 actual assists per game. He recorded double-doubles of 14 and 13 assists in his two games prior to last night's blowout victory where he only accumulated two. Brunson has proven he can score at will, but this is a great spot to get his teammates involved.
Not only are the Wizards allowing a league-high 126.2 points, but they are also allowing 30.5 assists per game. With Barrett and Quickley off the floor this season, Brunson has a 28.1% assist rate. There are only two other players on the Knicks averaging over two assists per game and that is Julius Randle and Josh Hart. Brunson has taken on more of a ball handling role without Barrett and Quickley. Prioritize his over 7.5 assists prop tonight on FanDuel at -105.
Pick: Jalen Brunson Over 7.5 Assists (-105)
Riding the over assists prop wagon with our second pick of the night – Tyrese Haliburton over 12.5 assists. That is a lofty number, but Haliburton is averaging a league and career-high 12.8 assists per game this season. The Pacers are playing on a back-to-back after dismantling the Hawks 150-116 last night. Haliburton only played 25 minutes in the blowout, but recorded an impressive 18 assists. It was the third game in his last five that Haliburton had 18+ assists.
Haliburton leads the league for the second-straight year in potential assists with 21.2 per game. The entire Pacers offense runs with Haliburton in control. He is the main factor that the Pacers lead the league in offensive rating, points, and pace. He is also averaging a career-high 24.4 points per game, while shooting 50.3% from the field.
The Pacers offense will be put to the test against the Celtics who rank second in defensive rating and first in net rating. The Celtics are a perfect 17-0 at home this season and are 5.5-point favorites. However, this matchup has a slate-high 246.5-point total, implying it will be an up-tempo game environment. That is where Haliburton thrives.
Their only meeting this season came in the In-Season Tournament – Quarterfinals with the Pacers winning at home 122-112. Haliburton recorded a 26-point, 13-assist, 10-rebound triple-double in the victory, proving he is capable of putting up big numbers against this Celtics stout defense. Even in a difficult spot, our prop model has Haliburton projected for exactly 14 assists tonight. This is another prop that looks the best on the FanDuel at -115.
