Tonight’s Best Player Props in the Association | NBA (12/22)

Varun Sharma

Written by: Varun Sharma

Last Update: Mon Dec 22, 2025, 2:02 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Lamelo Ball, Kon Knueppel

nba

It's the Monday before Christmas and I'm sure you're already on holiday, mentally at least. We've got a great looking slate in the NBA to jump into so kick up your feet, Irish that coffee & let's talk about my favorite props tonight.

For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today's slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page, here. 

Today's Best Bets

Jaylen Brown o41.5 PRA (-110) | Lucky Rebel

Boston Celtics

Jaylen Brown's seeing the highest usage of his career this year and he's showing everyone just what he can do with it. Brown's averaging career highs across the board and he's got the Celtics sitting in the 3-seed out East.He's been the engine that drives this squad and despite all the pre-season chatter, Brown's showing everyone this ain't a 'gap year'.

Brown's averaging 29.3 points per game this year, shooting 50% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc. He's seeing the highest volume of his career with Tatum on the sidelines and he's doing the most with it. Not only is Brown averaging a career high in points, buthe's averaging 6.3 rebounds per game and a career high 5.0 assists per game.

The former Finals MVP has unlocked another aspect of his game and helped the Celtics record the 3rd best offensive rating this year and 6th best net rating. The team's scoring 121.3 points per 100 possessions but rank dead last in pace. The slowed pace has a lot to do with Brown's strengths and his ability to score in isolation.

Brown ranks 5th this year in isolation possessions per game, 4th in isolation points per game and 4th in isolation shooting percentage. He's averaging 1.03 points per possession in iso and shooting 50% from the floor. The Pacers rank bottom five in isolation defense. Allowing 1.04 points per possession and allowing opponents to hsoot 46.7% from the field.

Brown's been great this year as an isolation scorer and just became the fifth Celtics ever to score 30+ points in six consecutive games. He's also taking 7.6 free throw attempts per game and the Pacers rank 30th in opponent free throw rate. Despite the large spread, these two teams play each other super closely and the added history makes for some great hoops.

Jamal Murray o6.5 Assists (-112) | Lucky Rebel

The Nuggets come into this game off an ugly loss to the Houston Rockets. Denver wound up losing the game by 14 points but most of the team's starters didn't play much of the 4th quarter. It was Denver's first loss after six straight wins and the offense looked clunky. Today the Nuggets host the Jazz and what better spot to get right.

The reason I'm looking to target Jamal in this matchup is the lack of interior defense for this Jazz squad. Jusuf Nurkic will once again be starting at center for Utah and today he's matchup against his former teammate. In Nurk's last few games, he's given up 16 to Jaxson Hayes, 22 to Santi Aldama, 25 to Chet Holmgren and 31/27 in two separate games to Alperen Şengün.

Jokic has countless big games against Nurkic in his career and when Jokic is scoring the basketball, usually Murray's stacking assists. Their ability to create for each other and play off each other is something we see so often and we've seen work so well. Murray's cleared this line in four the team's last six home games and averages nearly 12 potential assists per game.

The Jazz rank 30th in assists allowed, 29th in opponent effective field goal percentage, 30th in points allowed and 20th in opponent fast break points. Utah's 29th in defensive rating but play at the 4th highest pace in the NBA. Thats the kind of thing that should result in a high scoring game with plenty of assists.

Kon Knueppel o18.5 Points (-108) | Lucky Rebel

kon knueppel

Kon Knueppel has been lights out this year. He's been so good that people continue to say crazy things like the Hornets should move on from Lamelo Ball and build this team around Knueppel. You've got two young, exciting wings and by the looks of it, both love playing together.

Knueppel averages 22.1 points per game with Lamelo out of the lineup this year but that's to be expected with the increased volume. What stands out to me is the shooting percentages with Lamelo versus without. Kon's 3-point percentage jumps from 37% without Lamelo in the lineup to 42% with him out there.

He's now cleared this line in 4 straight games and 3 games with Lamelo in the lineup. Knueppel had 29 points against this same Cavs team just a week ago and that was also here in Cleveland. Knueppel's shooting better on the road this year, 48.5% from the field and 43.9% from beyond the arc.

Cleveland ranks 28th in points allowed to the shot guard position and it's something they've struggled with for multiple years.

Lucky Rebel Sportsbook logo 4.9/5 Review Rating
Bonus & Benefits
Up to $1,250 + 50 Free Slots Spins
See our review »
$1,250 Welcome Bonus
Bet Live on Your Favorite Sports
Earn More with Rebel Rewards!
Play Now & Claim Bonus »

Looking for More

Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly

Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER

Follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce for all my picks and sports takes you didn't ask for! Follow Betting News on 'X' and Twitch and catch us on stream! Betting News is also on TikTok! Follow us for more picks, and news!

Looking for a great promo for a new sportsbook? Check out our reviews of the best sportsbooks.

Varun Sharma
Varun Sharma

You may know me as ‘VSaaauce’. I’ve been a die hard hoops fan my entire life. I’ve been betting on the NBA/NCAAB/NFL/MLB for six years now, each year gaining more and more knowledge about being a profitable handicapper. I’m eager to learn, and eager to pass on everything I’ve gained over the last few years. I started my Twitter page four years ago, and this community makes me so thankful I did. Outside of sports and handicapping, I enjoy traveling, hoopin, a strong espresso and I’m currently studying to obtain my MD. I’m all about the vibes, good vibes only. If that sounds like you, follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.