We have a total of 4 NBA player props for New Year's Eve, and our staff of basketball betting experts is focused on some key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances to close 2024.
Read below for our NBA player prop picks for Tuesday, December 31.
NBA Player Props for Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Anthony Edwards
- Jakob Poeltl
- Victor Wembanyama
- Evan Mobley
Anthony Edwards Under 23.5 Points (-111)
Timberwolves vs. Thunder, 8 p.m. ET
Anthony Edwards has adjusted his game this season to account for less spacing. The swap of Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle subtracted a floor spacer, which means Edwards had to expand his range. He's taking 9.8 3-pointers per game, easily a career-high.
Edwards is scoring nearly half of his points (48.6%) from 3-point range. That mark is up nearly 20% from last season, when he averaged a career-high 25.9 PPG.
The emphasis on 3-point shooting has meant fewer points in the paint and fewer free throw attempts. Edwards isn't attacking the rim like he did in 2023-24, when he averaged 9.2 shots per game in the paint. His paint attempts are down by 2.0 per game this season. Edwards is averaging a career-low 3.8 free throws per game.
OKC is the best defense in the league. They're 1st in defensive rating by a mile. They lead the league in points per game allowed. The Thunder have held opponents to the 5th-fewest made 3-pointers and the lowest 3-point percentage.
The one place they're vulnerable? The free throw line. OKC's aggressive defense leads to fouls (6th-most), which obviously leads to free throws (5th-most). The Thunder have allowed the 2nd-highest opponent percentage of points from free throws.
You have to get to the line to score effectively against this defense, and Edwards hasn't been doing that this season. Maybe he chucks 25+ shots and gets there. It's going to take that type of volume.
Pick: Anthony Edwards Under 23.5 Points
