We’re diving into Wednesday NBA player props, including a pair of plays on the Pelicans’ CJ McCollum. Tonight’s hoops slate is 12 games deep and includes a pair of nationally televised contests airing on ESPN.
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NBA Player Props | Wednesday, Jan. 4
CJ McCollum Over 24.5 Points
The Pelicans are 7-point favorites over the Rockets despite the absence of Zion Williamson. With both Williamson and Brandon Ingram sidelined, 31.6 shots and 56.6% in usage rate are up for grabs.
McCollum already leads the team in shot attempts (17.9 per game). He will likely pull the trigger a few more times per contest over the next few weeks, while having the ball in his hands more overall.
CJ McCollum Over 3.5 Three-Pointers
We recognize the aggressiveness of this play. DraftKings Sportsbook offers 2.5 three-pointers for bettors seeking a perceived layup (-175). We’re going to gamble on FanDuel Sportsbook’s plus-money odds though.
We discussed the likelihood of McCollum taking on a heavier scoring load, which includes scoring from distance. McCollum leads the team with 7.2 three-point attempts per game and converts at a 39.2% clip. He should be able to find long-range success against the Rockets’ poor three-point defense.
Anthony Edwards Over 34.5 Points + Assists
Scoring is Edwards’ calling card, especially of late – he hasn’t totaled fewer than 27 points in the last six games. He’s hitting 51.4% of his 21 shot attempts — including eight from beyond the arc at a 40% clip.
We like Edwards to continue scoring at a high rate, but he’s contributing in other areas as well. He’s averaging seven boards over the aforementioned six-game stretch and reached double figures in two of his last three.
Thomas Bryant Over 8.5 Rebounds
On the surface, it appears Fanduel is bearish on Bryant’s rebounding outlook against the Heat. We’re going to take the plus-money odds and bet on the big man hauling in at least nine boards.
Bryant only failed to reach that mark in three of the nine games since taking over as the Lakers’ main man in the middle. He’s averaging 10.1 rebounds over that span, including performances of 13, 15, and 17. The Heat are 5.5-point road favorites, but they don’t shoot or score well, so in theory, the opportunity will be there for Bryant to clean up the glass.
Odds and lines subject change prior to tip-off. Check for the latest numbers at the top NBA betting sites.
