2022 was a fantastic year for the NBA. The league celebrates last year and brings in 2023 with a plateful of games. The Association has nine games on its New Year’s Eve docket, including eight on the main slate. While the New Orleans Pelicans at the Memphis Grizzlies is the most intriguing of the contests, there are other games with important storylines, such as the red-hot Brooklyn Nets going for 11 straight wins. With so many games, there is a golden opportunity to make “bank” with player props. For NBA player props and best bets, like Gordon Hayward and Desmond Bane assist total, visit the OddsShopper tool.
Best NBA Player Props | December 31
Kevin Durant O/U 2.5 3-pointers
The Nets may finally be the team that everyone thought they were. After a slow start, The Nets are the hottest team in the NBA, having won 10 straight. Brooklyn came into the season as one of the favorites to get out of the Eastern Conference.
Durant is the primary reason the Nets are thriving and own the third-best record in the conference. He is averaging 29.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while shooting 56% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc.
While Durant’s shooting numbers from the 3-point line look decent, it is his lowest percentage since joining Brooklyn. Durant got off to a slow start though he has been stroking it from there over the last 1o games, making 44% of his tries. He is also attempting the fewest 3-pointers (4.8) a game since 2009-10.
Durant averages 1.8 3-pointers a game on the season. He has canned two or fewer treys in nine of his last 11 outings. In two games against the Hornets this season, Durant is 3-for-9 from long distance.
Durant is projected to make 2.3 3-pointers tonight. OddsShopper gives the Under a 63% chance of hitting with an ROI of 2%.
NBA Pick: Kevin Durant Under 2.5 3-pointers.
Gordon Hayward O/U 3.5 Assists
Hayward is one of the unluckiest players in the NBA today. Hayward has played in 19 of the Hornets’ 36 games this year, and he has appeared in more than 53 games once since 2016-17.
When healthy, Hayward is still an outstanding all-around player. He is struggling with consistently shooting the ball as he is making 43.9% from the field and 31.1% from the 3-point line this season. But Hayward is still rebounding the ball and setting up teammates though his assists are down over the last eight games.
Hayward is projected for 3.2 assists tonight as he has doled out three or fewer dimes in four of his last six games. Hayward is averaging 3.5 assists since returning from his most recent injury. OddsShopper gives the Under a 62% chance of hitting with a 4% ROI.
NBA Player Prop: Gordon Hayward Under 3.5 Assists
Desmond Bane O/U 3.5 Assists
Bane has struggled to find his footing since returning from a 17-game absence on December 23. He did turn in a solid performance in the last outing against the Raptors on Thursday. He averages 14.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 31.4% from the field and 19.2% from the 3-point line over the last four games.
Bane, who averages 3.9 assists for the season, has handed out just six helpers over the past four games. He failed to finish with three assists in three of those contests, ending with zero twice. OddsShopper gives the Under a 59% chance of hitting.
NBA Player Prop: Desmond Bane
