Zach Thompson details his best player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Wednesday’s matchup between the Trail Blazers and Thunder.
The NBA is counting down on New Year’s Eve with five games on the evening slate, including the Portland Trail Blazers visiting the Thunder in Oklahoma City, in a matchup that tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET, which makes it one of the latest start times of the night.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Thunder are heavy 15.5-point home favorites, with the point total set at O/U 232.5. The Blazers beat the Thunder in their first matchup of the season, but then the Thunder beat them in the two rematches. The Thunder are a still-impressive 28-5, even after losing three times to the Spurs in December, while the Blazers are 14-19 after winning their last two games at home against the Celtics and Mavericks.
Let’s take a look at this fourth and final matchup between these teams by finding a few player prop bets for Wednesday night’s contest.
Trail Blazers vs. Thunder Best Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Chet Holmgren more than 18.5 points (-107)
The Thunder will be without Isaiah Hartenstein (leg) and Jaylin Williams (heel) for this contest, which will likely result in more minutes and responsibilities at center for Chet Holmgren. Holmgren is averaging 18.5 points per game on the season and scored 29 and 24 in his last two games at home against the Sixers and Hawks. He had 19 points in his last game against the Blazers, and he has stepped up and carried a bigger load when the other Thunder bigs have been sidelined.
Even if things get lopsided, he will still get plenty of playing time with the injuries, and he should be able to stay hot in this favorable matchup on Wednesday night.
Donovan Clingan over 21.5 Points + Rebounds (-111)
On the other side in the frontcourt, Clingan is averaging 21.5 points and rebounds on the season, but he has been over this prop line in five of his last six games. He had 18 points and 11 rebounds in Monday’s win against the Mavs (29 points and rebounds) after posting 18 points and 18 boards in 34 minutes against the Celtics on Sunday.
In his first two games against the Thunder, he came in under this prop line, but his recent surge and the absence of the Thunder’s big men set him up well for success in this rematch. If the Blazers can keep this close enough for him to get near his typical minutes, I like him to go over this prop line.
Jalen Williams under 30.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
The Thunder have allowed Williams to work his way back into the mix slowly after his delayed start to the season. He’s averaging 28.1 PRA (points, rebounds and assists) in his 14 games with 17.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per contest. Williams went over this prop line with 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the Thunder’s win over the Hawks on Monday, but he had been under this prop line in six of his previous eight games.
He had 29 PRA in his first game against the Trail Blazers this season, and he missed the other two meetings between these teams. While he definitely has the upside to go over this PRA line, if the game gets one-sided or if he just plays to his season average, he should stay under this line Wednesday night.
Bonus Parlay Pick: Alex Caruso over 5.5 points (-122)
Caruso has been getting more work in the backcourt in the Thunder’s last few games, and he has scored over this prop line in three straight games and five of his last seven. He doesn’t need a lot of minutes to get to six points, and he’s been getting enough work lately to add him to your parlay party this New Year’s Eve.
If you’re looking to use these props to create a Same Game Parlay (SGP) or as part of an SPGx, adding in the over on Caruso’s scoring takes you to a solid +900, as you can see below.
