Best NBA Props for December 13th: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Haliburton, Julius Randle and More

No less than a handful of great scorers have good matchups on Wednesday. That means several juicy props are ready for the (possible) taking, with fast teams and loose defenses a common theme.

Let’s look at five players with good reason to believe they will go over their listed number of points, rebounds, and/or assists. I’ll keep it short on a few guys, as their reasons for optimism are similar to others listed.

I used advanced stats and pace numbers from NBA.com and defensive rankings against positions from both FantasySP and Fantasy Pros. Lines are from FanDuel and correct as of noon on Dec. 13.

 

Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers @ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Haliburton OVER/UNDER: 27.5 Points, 12.5 Assists, 39.5 Points+Assists

Giannis OVER/UNDER: 34.5 Points, 11.5 Rebounds, 46.5 Points+Rebounds

These guys just faced off in the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament, a game the Pacers won 128-119. I wrote before that game about the Pacers playing at a fast pace, the Bucks giving up a lot of points to point guards, and the Pacers giving up a lot of points to power forwards and centers.

Go read that breakdown if you’d like more reasoning, but I’ll just say both players had big games last Thursday, and there is no reason to think that won’t continue tonight; Giannis went for 37 points and 10 rebounds, and Haliburton finished with 27 points and 15 assists.

Confidence Ratings for Giannis:

OVER 34.5 Points: 4 out of 5

OVER 11.5 Rebounds: 3 out of 5

OVER 46.5 Points+Rebounds: 4 out of 5

Confidence Ratings for Haliburton:

OVER 27.5 Points: 3 out of 5

OVER 12.5 Assists: 4 out of 5

OVER 39.5 Points+Assists: 4 out of 5

 

Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans @ Washington Wizards

OVER/UNDER: 24.5 points

The Wizards play at the second fastest pace in the league, behind only the Pacers. They also allow the most points per game and second-most rebounds per game to small forwards. Ingram is tied with Zion Williamson atop Pelican scorers, but he takes 2.5 more shots per game than Zion.

While the fast pace will help rebound opportunities, Ingram might have his ceiling capped by teammate Jonas Valanciunas. Washington allows the most rebounds per game to centers, meaning Valanciunas probably won’t be boxed out effectively very often. The big man may vacuum in more rebounds, shutting out Ingram from extra opportunities on the boards.

Confidence Rating for Ingram OVER 24.5 Points: 4 out of 5

 

Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers @ Detroit Pistons

OVER/UNDER 27.5 Points

Detroit is allowing the most points per game to point guards this season. Maxey will always be second to Joel Embiid, but the guard is only taking 1.5 less shots per game than his superstar center.

Detroit plays at the seventh-fastest pace in the league, while Philadelphia is 13th; it won’t be a barnburner, but this game should be played at an above-average pace, giving Maxey the touches and shots necessary to score just one more point than his season average.

Confidence Rating for Maxey OVER 27.5 Points: 5 out of 5

 

Julius Randle, New York Knicks @ Utah Jazz

OVER/UNDER 24.5 Points

The Jazz are allowing the third-most points per game to power forwards. While New York plays at the second-slowest pace in the league, Utah is 13th fastest, so they will speed things up a little for the Knicks.

Those extra possessions could be the difference for Randle, who is second on his team in points and field goal attempts per game, slightly behind Jalen Brunson.

Confidence Rating for Randle OVER 24.5 Points: 3 out of 5