The NBA is back on Wednesday with an eight-game slate scheduled across the league. There are several player props that stand out in the Nets-Hawks and Suns-Wizards matchups. Stay tuned to OddsShopper throughout the day to find the best lines when locking in NBA bets. Let’s dive into the best NBA prop bets for Wednesday, Dec. 28.
Best NBA Bets Today: Game Tips & Betting Predictions
Nets-Hawks Bets
The Brooklyn Nets look to stay hot on Wednesday in Atlanta, where they will take on the Hawks inside State Farm Arena. The Nets are winners of nine straight games and are 13-3 since Kyrie Irving returned to the lineup on Nov. 20. The Hawks have only won four of their last 10 games and are dealing with injuries to several starters. Look for Ben Simmons to go over his rebound total and take advantage of no Clint Capela in the paint on Wednesday.
The spotlight has moved away from Simmons, who now has 19 starts under his belt this season. Simmons is starting to make a positive impact for Brooklyn, averaging 8.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. He ranks second on the team in rebounds per game, and his prop line is set at 6.5 rebounds for tonight. Simmons has secured at least seven rebounds in 10 of 15 games in which he has seen at least 25 minutes of play. There is value in taking the over with Capela out for the Hawks. Capela ranks sixth in the NBA in rebound chances with 18 per game. Atlanta continues to get outrebounded by opponents without his presence down low, allowing the fifth-most rebounds to opponents per game.
Simmons has covered this line in three of the last four games, including an 11-rebound performance against Milwaukee on Friday. He is averaging 8.9 rebounds per game in 12 career games against the Hawks. Stokastic projects Simmons to secure eight rebounds in this one, giving this bet a 59% chance to win. Have confidence in taking the over on 6.5 rebounds against Atlanta on Wednesday.
Best NBA Prop Bet for Nets-Hawks: Ben Simmons OVER 6.5 Rebounds
Suns-Wizards Bets
Phoenix enters Wednesday on the second night of a back-to-back after taking home a commanding win on the road over Memphis on Tuesday. The Suns snapped a three-game losing skid with the victory. They will need to navigate through the next four weeks without All-star Devin Booker, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Booker’s absence opens up value in the points prop market for center Deandre Ayton.
Ayton only logged 27 minutes in their win last night over the Grizzlies. The Suns will be shorthanded once again on Wednesday with no Booker, Cameron Payne, or Landry Shamet. Suns backup center Bismack Biyombo is questionable with knee soreness. The shortened rotation will open up plenty of opportunity for Ayton to get buckets. Head coach Monty Williams will be relying on his young center to step up and make up for the missing offensive production.
Ayton posted point totals of 20 points and 30 points in the Suns’ two matchups against Washington last season. The Wizards rank 18th in opponent points in the paint on the season (49.4). Ayton’s point prop line is set at 20.5 points, which is 3 points higher than his season average, but the increase can be justified with the absence of several key shooters. Washington does a great job at defending the perimeter, an area where the Suns have excelled, ranking sixth in 3-pointers made this season. Look for the Suns to find other ways to score by utilizing the pick-and-roll game with Chris Paul and Ayton.
The Suns have put up 125 points in back-to-back games against solid defensive teams in the Grizzlies and Nuggets. Washington ranks 22nd in defensive rating on the season. Ayton has posted 21-plus points in 6 of 12 games throughout December and 3 of 6 games without Booker in the lineup this season. The Wizards just allowed 48 points to Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid in yesterday’s matchup, and they are allowing 25.7 points to the center position this year. Ayton’s point prop line has even more value if Biyombo is inactive. Whether Biyombo is active or not, take Ayton to go over his point total in what should be a close battle in Washington on Wednesday.
Best NBA Prop Bet for Suns-Wizards: Deandre Ayton OVER 20.5 Points
