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NBA Daily: Warriors, Suns, Rockets Prop bets

Sara Jane Gamelli 5397 December 22, 2023 No Comments

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Sara Jane Gamelli

(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

There are several games on the NBA slate tonight. However, my picks will focus on two specific matchups, starting at 10 p.m. ET. The Washington Wizards (5-22, 3-14) will matchup against the Golden State Warriors (13-14,7-6 home) on the road. If you're looking to bet on this game, it will air on ESPN. The Phoenix Suns (14-13, 7-5 away) will play the Sacramento Kings (16-10, 10-4) in California. Also, will the Houston Rockets get the win with all the injuries to Dallas?  In this article, I've provided my best picks for tonight. While I took them as straight bets, you can group them into a parlay. Here you will find the NBA betting odds, stats, trends, player prop bets, and predictions for Friday, Dec. 22.

NBA Daily Game Odds for 12/22

*Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Raptors (+285) @ 76ers (-8.5) (-360): O/U 230.5
Nuggets (-4.5) (-180) @ Nets (+150): O/U 230
Hawks (-102) @ Heat (-1) (-118): O/U 238.5
Mavericks (+275) @ Rockets (-345) (-8.5): O/U 223
Wizards (+136) @ Warriors (-11.5) (-600): O/U 248.5
Suns (+136) @ Kings (-3.5) (-162): O/U 244

Bet #1 Kevin Durant 25+ Points

Season Stats PPG: 21.1 | FG: 49.6 % | 3 PT: 42.4 % | FT: 75.7 % | REB: 2.3 | AST: 2.5 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0

Tonight, the Suns get the Kings on the road in Sacramento. With Bradley Beal out for Phoenix, Kevin Durant has been consistent, putting up incredible numbers' night in and night out. Averaging over 30 points per game, Durant is coming off a 40-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers.

One of the best to ever play the game, Durant has been durable and reliable from a betting standpoint. This prop not only hit the past few games, but it has a 95 percent hit rate this season, and 100 percent rate over the last ten games. More impressively, he's hit the over in 15 straight games. Tonight, Durant gets the Kings, who allow the 22nd most points (118), and 26th worst three-point percentage (38.6 %) in the NBA.

Most recent, Sacramento allowed Kawhi Leonard, Luguentz Dortz, Kyle Kuzma, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis to all hit over points props. In addition, they continue to be one of the least efficient teams in terms of defense.

Stats courtesy of Propsdotcash

Why I like this prop tonight

While the Suns don't have a home matchup, there is great news. In 10 games on the road, Durant is playing out of this world. Averaging 33 points per game, No. 35 is hitting 50 percent of his shots, and 42.6 percent from downtown in 38.2 minutes played. A true scorer from any level, Durant has a prime matchup tonight versus Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes. In terms of props, the over has hit in 9 straight away games, besides an 18 points game vs. Golden State. In terms of stats against Western Conference teams, Durant hit this prop in every single game besides against the Warriors and the Nuggets.

Their first matchup this season, Durant is notorious for balling out against Sacramento. In 40 career games, the forward has a career average 27.9 points and 7.1 rebounds against the Kings. Averaging the most points since the 2013-2014 season in Oklahoma City, Durant continues to carry this team on his back, along with Booker.

If you're betting on the NBA, I love this prop for one of two reasons: Durant is coming off a 28-field goal attempt night vs. Portland, and he's shooting an incredible 46.7 percent from downtown. As smooth as he is at jumpers, expect Durant to lead the way in scoring tonight. In his last matchup against the Kings in 2022, he finished with 27 points. It's important to note, this is Durant's second team in two years, and there are several members on the Suns injury report.

Bet #2: Klay Thompson 15+ Points

Season Stats PPG: 21.1 | FG: 49.6 % | 3 PT: 42.4 % | FT: 75.7 % | REB: 2.3 | AST: 2.5 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0

While Klay Thompson had a rocky start to the season, he's recently found his stride, as he was once known as one of the best shooters in the league. Tonight, the Warriors get the Wizards at home.

15 points seems low, especially for Thompson. Tonight, he has a great matchup against Washington, who allows the 30th most points per game (126.5) and assist rate (30). Coming of several fantastic outings, Thompson recently put up 24 points against the Celtics. Inconsistent with his shooting the first few months, the guard is coming off four consecutive matchups with 20 + points. No. 11 is averaging a season high 20.4 points on 40.2 percent three-point shooting in the month of Dec. alone.

Stats courtesy of Propsdotcash

If you're betting on the NBA, this prop hit the over in four of the last five games, and 88 % in the last ten. The guard had a season high 30 points on 66.7 percent three-point shooting against the Clippers on Dec. 14. A prop that has a 91 percent hit rate; Thompson has surprisingly had better numbers on the road. While that doesn't deter me, he's put up over 15 points in two consecutive road games, and in six of the last seven. For the 2022-2023 season, this prop had a 78 percent hit rate.

Klay Thompson has a prime matchup tonight

I love what the Warriors have done with the lineup amid the Draymond Green suspension, especially with Chris Paul coming off the bench. As Golden State finds their stride, they have elite playmakers with Curry and Paul. The addition of Podziemski in the starting lineup has created looks for Klay as well. After all, all Thompon needs is a decent screen from Kuminga or Looney, and a small amount of space.

Most recent, the Wizards allowed Anfernee Simons, of the Portland Trail Blazers, to drop 41 points. Additionally, Devin Booker, Cam Thomas, De'Anthony Melton, Jalen Suggs, Harrison Barnes, and Brandon Ingram all scored over 15 points. In 18 career games against Washington, Thompson has an average of 18.5 points per game, on 37.7 percent three-point shooting.

As the Warriors look to improve and move up in the standings, they will heavily rely on Curry and Thompson on a nightly basis. Once benched for his poor play against the Phoenix Suns, Thompson has showed signs of life. While Thompson wasn't happy with the decision, he's let his recent game play do the talking. If Podziemski is unable to start tonight, I like this prop even more in terms of points scored. Either way, he should have a solid matchup with Deni Avdija or Jordan Poole and should get a high volume of shots.

Bet #3 Daniel Gafford O 1.5 Blocks

Season Stats PPG: 21.1 | FG: 49.6 % | 3 PT: 42.4 % | FT: 75.7 % | REB: 2.3 | AST: 2.5 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0

I try not to be bias, but let's face it, this has been my favorite prop to play all season. No matter what matchup, bettors have been able to count on this play on a nightly basis. Tonight, the Wizards get Golden State, which may be a tougher matchup. However, as I stated in my Instagram Reel, I will continue to play this prop every single night until it doesn't hit anymore. I am fully on the over Daniel Gafford blocks train.

Gafford has been an unbelievable force for the Wizards, who are simply a bad team. Coming off a 6-block night against Portland, the big man is averaging nearly 3 blocks per game. A true bright spot on this team, Gafford has hit over 1.5 blocks in 12 straight games, and 83 percent of the matchups this season. While he might have a tough matchup since the Warriors play mostly beyond the perimeter, It's hard to full fade this tonight.

Stats courtesy of Propsdotcash

On the road, Gafford has been sensational, hitting the over in 8 straight away games, and 87 percent of them this season. Averaging 2.5 blocks on the road, Gafford has 9 in the last two matchups against the Trail Blazers and the Kings.

Daniel Gafford has been unstoppable

In their latest matchups, the Warriors have been staying afloat without their defensive playmaker, Draymond Green. While Al Horford and Deandre Ayton only had one block each, Nic Claxton had four, as well as Ivica Zubac, Drew Eubanks, and Chet Holmgren all 2+. Although he has all the momentum, they are coming off back-to-back road games.

If you're betting on the NBA, it's tough to fade a prop that's made me a lot of money and is an automatic cash out every night. The good news is that Kevon Looney doesn't shoot threes and won't likely pull Gafford out of the paint much tonight. Although he hasn't hit this prop line in the last two meetings against Golden State, the Center has five total blocks in four career games against them.

BONUS BET: Houston Rockets Money line

I made this decision with the Detroit Pistons last night, and it backfired badly. Yes, the Rockets are coming off three straight losses. However, their defense is elite, and one of the best in the league. Allowing only 108.4 points per game, the Rockets face the Mavericks who will be without Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Dante Exum, Josh Green, and Derek Lively II. In another words, Dallas will be missing several of their key players. While the Rockets will play their second consecutive games, they are elite around the perimeter, allowing teams to shoot under 33 percent from deep. As much as I like the Rockets to win this game outright, I like the under, especially with a depleted Dallas team.

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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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