Happy Saturday, everybody! We've got plenty of action on the hardwood today, with a nine-game NBA slate tipping off this afternoon.
Below, I've dished out a handful of plays to help carry you through the day – so let's jump into my NBA prop bets for Saturday, December 27.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today's slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page.
You can also browse our recommendations for the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.
NBA Prop Bets for Saturday, December 27 | Betting News
Anthony Edwards Over 26.5 Points (-119)
Following a 44-point performance in the Mile High City on Christmas night, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves return home to host the Brooklyn Nets.
Edwards has put together an excellent month of December, bumping his scoring average up to 30.3 points per game and posting three 40-plus point outings. Can he do it again on Saturday? Maybe – but he doesn't need to for this bet to cash. We're simply asking him to score at least 27, which is well within reach against this Brooklyn defense.
The Nets enter this matchup ranked 26th in defensive effective field goal percentage allowed (56.1%) and 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions (118.7). They've also struggled to defend the perimeter, sitting 25th in opponent three-point percentage (37.8%).
All signs point to Edwards finding plenty of scoring opportunities, putting him in a quality spot to clear 26.5 points in this matchup.
Sam Merrill Under 2.5 3-Pointers (+103)
Let's move down to Houston, where the Rockets host the Cavaliers.
One of the two prop bets I'm taking a stab at is Sam Merrill to make fewer than 2.5 three-pointers against this Houston defense.
The Rockets rank 13th in opponent three-point percentage (35.7%), which typically wouldn't be strong enough on its own to fade a player like Merrill, who takes 81% of his shots from beyond the arc. However, Houston's ability to thrive across nearly every defensive metric is enough to justify the play.
The Rockets also rank top-10 in points per possession and effective field goal percentage allowed, and in a difficult matchup like this, Merrill shouldn't be utilized as heavily as he is in softer spots. He's a volatile scorer – one who thrives against inferior defenses – but tends to shrink against top-tier opponents, which is exactly what he'll face in Houston on Saturday night.
Reed Sheppard Under 2.5 3-Pointers (-116)
Let's keep things in the Lone Star State and stay in the three-point prop department, as we look to fade another player and back him to stay under 2.5 made three-pointers. This time, it's Rockets guard Reed Sheppard.
On the season, Sheppard is averaging 2.5 made threes on just over six attempts per game. He'll be facing a fairly respectable Cavaliers defense – one that's dipped slightly from years past, but still fields a solid unit on that side of the ball.
Cleveland limits opponents' three-point opportunities, holding them to 37.6% of attempts from deep, which ranks 12th in the league. Sheppard isn't expected to be a primary option in this matchup, particularly from beyond the arc, so I'm looking for him to stay under this number while his teammates handle more of the scoring load.
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Cooper Flagg Over 24.5 Points (+115)
Let's look for the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg, to have a strong night as the Mavericks head to the capital of California to face the Kings.
In his rookie campaign, Flagg is averaging 19.4 points per game while shooting 49.3% from the floor. December has been his best month so far, though, as he's increased that scoring average to 24.4 points per contest while knocking down over 53% of his looks.
I'm expecting him to play above those numbers against a lowly Kings team. Sacramento is a complete disaster right now, and it shows on the defensive end, where they rank 28th in points per possession allowed and 27th in effective field goal percentage allowed.
About 45% of Flagg's shot attempts come from mid-range, with another 35% occurring at the rim. That sets up perfectly for this matchup, considering the Kings rank 30th in opponent field goal percentage at the rim (72.8%) and 29th from the mid-range (49.5%).
This should be one of the best matchups of Flagg's young career, making it a spot worth taking advantage of in the prop market.
Kyle Kuzma Over 20.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists (+100)
Kuzma and the banged-up Bucks head to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bulls. Given the injuries for Milwaukee, the Bulls are favored in this matchup by roughly 3.5 points.
Chicago is, however, on the second leg of a back-to-back after defeating the 76ers at home on Friday night, 109–102, marking their fifth consecutive win. Milwaukee also played last night, but suffered their third loss in four games, falling to Memphis 125–104.
While that's all well and good for the Bulls, they remain a clearly flawed team. I'm looking for Kuzma to take advantage of those shortcomings and do enough to clear 20.5 points, rebounds and assists. Over a nine-game stretch in December, he's averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, and he's gone over this number in five straight outings.
Chicago ranks 23rd in assists allowed per game (27.9) and 16th in rebounding percentage (49.9%), but most of Kuzma's damage should come as a scorer. He should have plenty of opportunities against a Bulls defense that ranks 21st in points per possession and 19th in effective field goal percentage allowed.
Someone has to step up for the Bucks right now, and it's clear Kuzma is that guy. This matchup provides another strong opportunity to back his PRA over before the books fully adjust.
Best Bets:
NBA Record: 77-51-1 (+18.87 units)
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