We have two NBA player props for this Monday, and our staff of basketball betting experts is focused on some key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances to open the week.
Read below for our NBA player prop picks for Knicks vs. Raptors on Monday, December 9. Tipoff from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
NBA Player Prop Picks for Monday, Dec. 9
- Josh Hart Under 13.5 Points (-113, Caesars)
- Ochai Agbaji Under 13.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-145, bet365)
New York Knicks Player Prop
Josh Hart Under 13.5 Points (-113)
By Matt Moore
Josh Hart is one of the Knicks' best options when it comes to scoring points in the paint and points off spot-up possessions.
Those just happen to be the things the Raptors have improved upon the most defensively over the past three weeks.
Toronto has made real strides in that area as of late, and with the Knicks likely taking it easy ahead of their NBA Cup matchups this week, I think Hart stays just under this number on Monday night.
Pick: Josh Hart Under 13.5 Points
Toronto Raptors Player Prop
Ochai Agbaji Under 13.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-145)
Ochai Agbaji has had some nice stretches for the Raptors this season, but it's all been driven by injuries. When Toronto is missing wings, Agbaji has stepped into more playing time and production. When everyone is healthy, he fades into the background. The Raptors have a clean injury report outside of Immanuel Quickley.
Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Gradey Dick have played five games together. Agbaji has averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in those games. More importantly, he's played just 24.8 minutes per game. Agbaji has one of the lowest usage rates on the team, so he needs big minutes in order to be productive.
Toronto has capable players coming off the bench, and they're pressing Agbaji for playing time. On Saturday against Dallas, Davion Mitchell subbed in for Agbaji for only three minutes into the 3rd quarter. Mitchell stayed in the game until midway through the 4th quarter, keeping Agbaji planted on the bench. Agbaji played just 20 minutes. The floor is quite low with everyone healthy.
The Knicks have taken a step back defensively this season, but they still play extremely slow. The Knicks rank 18th in defensive rating but 10th in points allowed per game. They also rebound well. It's not an ideal matchup, and Agbaji has playing time concerns. I'll back him to stay under 3.5 rebounds tonight.
Pick: Ochai Agbaji Under 13.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
